noun
verb
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of souvenir
1765–75; < French, noun use of ( se ) souvenir to remember < Latin subvenīre to come to mind, equivalent to sub- sub- + venīre to come
Explanation
A souvenir is a keepsake or a remembrance. A telltale sign that someone has visited Paris is the tiny, metal Eiffel Tower hanging from her keychain as a souvenir. First recorded in 1775 as meaning “a remembrance or memory,” the noun souvenir stems from the French souvenir “to remember, come to mind.” A few years later, it took on the sense of “a token” of an event or experience. A song by Tears for Fears goes, “Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear.” Here, souvenir refers to a feeling, but more often it refers to something tangible, like a memento, gift, or trophy.
Vocabulary lists containing souvenir
Inside Out & Back Again
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Bronx Masquerade
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Mardi Gras: Fun
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Jet lag - the world's most annoying holiday souvenir – is the price we pay for flying off around the globe on travels or holidays.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
He shared a photo of his stuffed souvenir on social media with the caption, “It followed me home.”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026
On social media, the purpose of these shoppers is clear: grab a quick souvenir or local specialty and take a selfie.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026
Merchandise and souvenir sellers lined the streets at the Azteca on Saturday.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026
It was a tippy boat even for a souvenir.
From "Stuart Little" by E.B. White
Retired investment banker Betsy Hoaglund collected cheesy souvenirs from each state on business trips.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
It is a wonderful concept, a place where families can find affordable souvenirs without limiting the kids to a clearance rack.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026
During the spree thieves took expensive watches, valuable jewellery and souvenirs including sports jerseys.
From BBC ● May 25, 2026
With vacation travel season kicking off this holiday weekend, it’s time to talk about souvenirs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
Still, I put each pink- and-white strip of paper in my shoulder bag as souvenirs.
From "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
