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

• commemorative
• keepsake
• memento
• memorial
• monument
• remembrance
• reminder
• token

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

There is also a Friday Night Happy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m., with two hours of bottomless beer and wine, a souvenir cup and lip balm for $25. denverbazaar.com/valentinesbazaar Goldens in Golden Golden Retrievers are invited to wag their tails in — where else? —Laura Daily and Bryan K. Chavez, The Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2025

But many people who came across the detritus have started to collect the objects — some individuals took them home as souvenirs, while others are aiming to sell them for profit. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025

Pick up permits to visit or camp in the state park, stroll through a 2-acre desert garden, explore an expansive interpretive exhibit that covers the history, geology, and culture of the surrounding area, or buy a souvenir in the gift shop. —Pam Leblanc, Southern Living, 24 Jan. 2025

Cumulatively, souvenirs and excursions purchased by cruise passengers do add up. —Joe Sills, Forbes, 19 Jan. 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

Kids Definition

souvenir

noun

sou·​ve·​nir ˈsü-və-ˌni(ə)r 

ˌsü-və-ˈni(ə)r

: something that serves as a reminder : memento