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Memoir: meaning, definitions and examples

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memoir

 

[ ˈmem.wɑːr ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

literature

A memoir is a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge or special sources. It is a subgenre of the autobiography and usually focuses on specific experiences or periods in the author's life.

Synonyms

autobiography, biography, personal history

Examples of usage

  • The author's memoir detailed his experiences during the war.
  • She published a memoir about her childhood growing up in a small town.
  • The memoir provided insight into the author's struggles and triumphs.

Translations

Translations of the word "memoir" in other languages:

🇵🇹 memórias

🇮🇳 संस्मरण

🇩🇪 Memoiren

🇮🇩 memoar

🇺🇦 мемуари

🇵🇱 wspomnienia

🇯🇵 回顧録

🇫🇷 mémoires

🇪🇸 memorias

🇹🇷 hatıralar

🇰🇷 회고록

🇸🇦 مذكرات

🇨🇿 paměti

🇸🇰 pamäte

🇨🇳 回忆录

🇸🇮 spomini

🇮🇸 minningarbók

🇰🇿 естеліктер

🇬🇪 მოგონებები

🇦🇿 xatirələr

🇲🇽 memorias

Etymology

The word 'memoir' originated from the French word 'mémoire', which means memory or reminiscence. It first appeared in English in the late 15th century. Memoirs have been a popular form of literature for centuries, allowing authors to share personal stories and experiences with readers. The genre gained prominence in the 20th century with the rise of autobiographical writing.

See also: memo, memorandum, memory.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,910, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.