souvenir

noun

sou·​ve·​nir ˈsü-və-ˌnir 

ˌsü-və-ˈnir

: something kept as a reminder (as of a place one has visited)

a souvenir of her travels

a souvenir shop

Synonyms of souvenir

• reminder
• memorial

Examples of souvenir in a Sentence

When I went to the Super Bowl, I kept my ticket stub as a souvenir.

kept their love letters as souvenirs of their courtship

Recent Examples on the Web

Pick up some souvenirs while savoring the ocean views along the V&A Waterfront. —Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025

Home to local boutiques, specialty shops, and artisan galleries, this is the perfect place to find a souvenir to take home—and much more. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2025

This is a ceramic plate designed to be a souvenir of the dining experience at the landmark location, since it’s not intended for sale. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 1 Dec. 2025

The employees at the merch counter near the entrance are prepping to sell T-shirts, baseball caps, and other souvenirs sporting Guy’s likeness or the club’s logo. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 30 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, act of remembering, from Middle French, from (se) souvenir to remember, from Latin subvenire to come up, come to mind — more at subvention

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing souvenir

• souvenir sheet
• souvenir shop

Rhymes for souvenir

• auctioneer
• bandelier
• belvedere
• bombardier
• brigadier
• buccaneer
• cavalier
• chandelier
• chanticleer
• chevalier
• commandeer
• disappear

Kids Definition

souvenir

noun

sou·​ve·​nir ˈsü-və-ˌni(ə)r 

ˌsü-və-ˈni(ə)r

: something that serves as a reminder : memento