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

Meanwhile, a tattoo parlor’s social media giveaway became a permanent souvenir for World Cup fans, from locals to foreign visitors now abroad. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 July 2026

The other souvenir popcorn bucket, a replica of an Imax camera, sold out immediately, according to Kiara. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 July 2026

Many tourists treat books as a selfie backdrop or a vacation souvenir—but there, in the basement, they may be moved to actually crack a book open. — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026

Picklesburgh crowds put on a fashion show this week — with pickle-print outfits and punny shirts, hats and more — while scooping up swag and souvenir merch. — Usa Today, USA Today, 18 July 2026

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