reminiscing

American  

[rem-uh-nis-ing] / ˌrɛm əˈnɪs ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of recalling past experiences or events, especially with pleasure or nostalgia.

   The benefits of reminiscing are widely recognized as having a positive effect on the emotional well-being of elderly people.

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adjective

1. engaged in or expressing such recollection.

   The reminiscing narrator sprinkles the narrative with self-conscious comments like "I remember" or "Funny, the things you remember."

Etymology

Origin of reminiscing

First recorded in 1865–70; reminisc(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ for the noun; reminisc(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² for the adjective

Example Sentences

“Knott’s Preserved” tells of a show in which a mouse once sat at the base of the stage, and quotes Martin as reminiscing over performances affected by the weather.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

In a matter of minutes, the 24-year-olds found themselves in the thick of its “Star Wars” DVD and Blu-ray collection, reminiscing about the special features they enjoyed as kids.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

When reminiscing about films or promulgating his ideas on technique, Kurosawa comes across as approachable and marvelously unassuming.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Seven Fishes is about reminiscing on the year while letting go of whatever you’d like to leave behind.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2025

“Seems an odd time for reminiscing, but go on.”

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray