Souvenir Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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souvenir

[ˈsuːvənɪə ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

memorable gift

A souvenir is a memento or keepsake, typically purchased or received as a reminder of a place visited, an event attended, or a special occasion.

Synonyms

keepsake, memento, memorabilia.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
souvenir

Typically refers to an object bought or obtained on a trip or vacation to remember the experience.

  • I bought a small souvenir from the Eiffel Tower gift shop.
  • Every time I visit a new city, I get a souvenir magnet for my fridge.
memento

An object kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event, often with emotional significance.

  • He kept the movie ticket as a memento of their first date.
  • The photograph served as a memento of their childhood friendship.
keepsake

Personal items that are kept for sentimental reasons, often given as gifts or inherited.

  • She gave me a locket as a keepsake to remember her by.
  • The old watch was a keepsake from my grandfather.
memorabilia

Items that are collected or kept because they are associated with a particular event, person, or time, often used in the context of hobbies or collections.

  • The baseball card collection is full of sports memorabilia.
  • She has a room dedicated to movie memorabilia, including posters and autographs.

Examples of usage

  • She bought a keychain as a souvenir from her trip to Paris.
  • The snow globe was a perfect souvenir from the winter festival.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'souvenir'

The word 'souvenir' originated from the French language, where it means 'to remember' or 'memory'. Originally, souvenirs were objects that people would keep to remember a particular event or place. Over time, the concept of souvenirs has evolved to include a wide range of items, from small trinkets to larger gifts, all intended to serve as reminders of special moments in life.


Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,839, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.