souvenir

American  

[soo-vuh-neer, soo-vuh-neer] / ˌsu vəˈnɪər, ˈsu vəˌnɪər /

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.

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souvenir British  

/ ˌsuːvəˈnɪə, ˈsuːvəˌnɪə /

noun

1. an object that recalls a certain place, occasion, or person; memento

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verb

1. euphemistic to steal or keep (something, esp a small article) for one's own use; purloin

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.

Example Sentences

Restaurant terraces sit deserted, while souvenir, watersports and perfume vendors watch for the rare passerby.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Most domestic travelers won’t cancel trips due to a jump in gas prices, Elrod said, but they might borrow from their souvenir budget to cover additional fuel costs.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

Nick Smith Jr. placed his newest souvenir nonchalantly underneath the press conference table.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2025

Amid amusing anecdotes in press conferences, leaping about on the touchline and chat about stealing tracksuits as a souvenir of his second spell at Parkhead, a ship that was heading for trouble was steadied.

From BBC • Dec. 14, 2025

“Do let me know if you misplace that precious souvenir again. I have eyes everywhere, all the time.”

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed

Related Words

• gift
• memento
• relic
• trophy