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Mnemonic: meaning, definitions and examples

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mnemonic

 

[nɪˈmɒnɪk ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

memory aid

Aiding or designed to aid the memory.

Synonyms

cue, memory aid, reminder.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mnemonic

Utilized primarily in educational settings or situations that require memorization techniques to help remember information.

  • The mnemonic 'PEMDAS' helps students remember the order of operations in mathematics
memory aid

A general term for tools or strategies to assist with remembering information, applicable in everyday situations as well as educational or professional settings.

  • Flashcards are an effective memory aid for learning new vocabulary
reminder

Commonly used in daily life to refer to prompts or alerts that ensure tasks are completed or information is recalled.

  • I set a reminder on my phone to take my medication at 8 PM
cue

Used in various contexts, especially in psychological or performative environments, to trigger a specific action or memory.

  • The director gave the actor a cue to start his speech

Examples of usage

  • He created a mnemonic device to help him remember all the planets in order.
  • She used a mnemonic to remember the order of the colors in the rainbow.
Context #2 | Noun

memory technique

A device such as a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations that assists in remembering something.

Synonyms

cue, memory aid, reminder.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mnemonic

Use 'mnemonic' when referring to a technique or device designed to help remember information through association, such as acronyms or rhymes.

  • The mnemonic 'HOMES' helps you remember the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.
  • To remember the order of operations in math, you can use the mnemonic 'PEMDAS': Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction.
memory aid

Use 'memory aid' to describe any technique, device, or tool specifically created to improve memory or assist in the remembrance of information.

  • Flashcards are a common memory aid for studying vocabulary.
  • He downloaded an app that serves as a memory aid for memorizing historical dates.
reminder

Use 'reminder' when talking about something that makes someone remember a particular thing, often a note or an alert.

  • She set a phone reminder to take her medicine every evening.
  • The calendar app sent her a reminder about the upcoming meeting.
cue

Use 'cue' when referring to something that serves as a signal or prompt to remember something or to take action, often related to performance or behavior.

  • The actor delivered his lines perfectly after a subtle cue from the director.
  • She uses sticky notes as a cue to remind her of important tasks for the day.

Examples of usage

  • The acronym NATO is a mnemonic for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
  • The mnemonic 'ROYGBIV' is used to remember the colors of the rainbow.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Greek 'mnemonikos', meaning 'of memory'.
  • Ancient Greeks used various techniques to memorize long speeches and texts, laying the groundwork for modern mnemonics.
  • The term was popularized in the 20th century, connecting learning with memory aids.

Psychology

  • Research shows that people can remember information better when it's attached to a fun rhyme or a visual image.
  • Using mnemonics can help reduce cognitive load, making complex information easier to process.
  • Memory aids like acronyms (e.g., ROYGBIV for colors) tap into our brain's natural ability to form associations.

Education

  • Mnemonics are widely used in classrooms to teach everything from math formulas to historical dates.
  • Students who use memory techniques often perform better on tests and retain information longer.
  • Different learning styles can benefit from tailored mnemonics, making them versatile learning tools.

Pop Culture

  • Many songs and movies reference catchy mnemonics to emphasize their messages, like using rhymes to share important lessons.
  • Comic books sometimes feature heroes using mnemonics to quickly remember their powers or previous adventures.
  • TV shows often include humorous examples of bad mnemonics to entertain while informing viewers about memory.

Translations

Translations of the word "mnemonic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mnemônico

🇮🇳 सहायक स्मरण

🇩🇪 mnemonisch

🇮🇩 mnemonik

🇺🇦 мнемонічний

🇵🇱 mnemoniczny

🇯🇵 記憶術

🇫🇷 mnémotechnique

🇪🇸 mnemotécnico

🇹🇷 mnemonik

🇰🇷 기억술

🇸🇦 ذِكرى

🇨🇿 mnemotechnický

🇸🇰 mnemotechnický

🇨🇳 助记

🇸🇮 mnemotehnični

🇮🇸 minnisregla

🇰🇿 мнемоника

🇬🇪 მნემონიკური

🇦🇿 mnemonik

🇲🇽 mnemotécnico

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,432, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.