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

As in Europe, these are served in souvenir collectible mugs. —Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

Valenzuela broke no lifetime pitching records, his career is more Ken Holtzman than Sandy Koufax, yet throughout the Southland the majority of souvenir Dodger jerseys still bear his name. —Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

The property gives nods to its on-screen fame with memorabilia, souvenirs, and occasional film screenings, but unlike the Overlook, Timberline does stay open all winter for ski season. —Zoe Baillargeon, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2024

The home run soared into the stands in Miami, and a melee ensued to grab the souvenir. —Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 16 Oct. 2024

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