souvenir

[ soo-vuh-neer, soo-vuh-neer ]

noun

1. a usually small and relatively inexpensive article given, kept, or purchased as a reminder of a place visited, an occasion, etc.; memento.

   Synonyms: token, keepsake, reminder

2. a memory.

souvenir

/ ˌsuːvəˈnɪə; ˈsuːvəˌnɪə /

noun

1. an object that recalls a certain place, occasion, or person; memento

verb

1. euphemistic.
   to steal or keep (something, esp a small article) for one's own use; purloin

Word History and Origins

Origin of souvenir¹

1765–75; < French, noun use of ( se ) souvenir to remember < Latin subvenīre to come to mind, equivalent to sub- sub- + venīre to come

Word History and Origins

Origin of souvenir¹

C18: from French, from ( se ) souvenir to remember, from Latin subvenīre to come to mind, from sub- up to + venīre to come

Example Sentences

For this story, I collected 1984 Olympics clothing and artifacts and all kinds of different objects and souvenirs.

From Los Angeles Times

It inspired a slew of TikTok parodies, souvenir mugs and jokey posts commemorating accomplishments far less impressive than winning the White House.

From Los Angeles Times

But Team Tugendhat led the field with souvenir hats, t-shirts, mints with his name on them, tattoos - and even Tugend-tan, fake tan.

From BBC

It all made a good case for the Medfly having been brought in by some traveler packing a juicy souvenir.

From Los Angeles Times

A video circulating on social media shows two people lifting a seating structure from the stands with the apparent intention of casually strolling away with a supersized souvenir from the A’s home venue since 1968.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gift
• memento
• relic
• trophy