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

The on-site boutique makes a great spot to score a Boston souvenir for the budding Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, or Katherine Johnson in your life. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026

Everyone also took the chance to line up for colorful sketches as a party souvenir, outfitted in their most vibrant Herrera dresses and jackets. — Aaron Royce, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026

Edible souvenirs also beat handing your group chat another keychain. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026

Don Quijote takes the hunt further, packing snacks alongside cosmetics, beauty products, household goods and souvenirs under one roof for a true one-stop cultural browse. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 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