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

She’s currently seeking out ways to best prepare for the Olympics, which don’t involve flight revenue, such as dining at the airport and souvenir shopping.

From Los Angeles Times

One middle-aged American man wore a cream dinner jacket to be desecrated as a souvenir.

From BBC

The collection from An Post features booklets of four National Rate "N" stamps alongside, 12,000 copies of a souvenir "band" stamp sheet.

From BBC

A Marlins representative visited the family at their seats and presented the boy with a bag full of souvenirs.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m a champion of the film, and so, too, I reckon is the cineaste I saw inside the Lightbox theater wearing a souvenir T-shirt who’d scratched out the “Toronto” with black marker to scrawl, “Winnipeg.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gift 
• memento 
• relic 
• trophy