memorabilia
Americanplural noun
singular
memorabile-
mementos; souvenirs.
-
matters or events worthy to be remembered; points worthy of note.
plural noun
-
memorable events or things
-
objects connected with famous people or events
Etymology
Origin of memorabilia
1800–10; noun use of Latin memorābilia things to be remembered, neuter plural of memorābilis memorable
Explanation
The noun memorabilia describes items that remind you of a certain event or time period. Parents who save every drawing and report card their children bring home are collecting memorabilia for the future. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt? That t-shirt is memorabilia. Memorabilia refers to anything that commemorates an event. It shows you were there — you have the t-shirt to prove it. But t-shirts didn't even exist in 1806, the year memorabilia was coined from the Latin word memorare, meaning "to bring to mind." You save memorabilia to help you remember, or jog your memory.
Vocabulary lists containing memorabilia
100 SAT Words Beginning with "M"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Hate U Give
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Musty Dusty Words for National Old Stuff Day
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Neill Hunter owns Scotcrest in Port Glasgow, which makes commemorative plaques, clan crests and other memorabilia.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
But not every piece of signed memorabilia bought will turn out to be legitimate.
From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026
The extensive archives survived the fire, and Tim Schneider hopes that they can help return photos and revive cherished memories for community members who lost personal memorabilia to the smoke and flames.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026
Lipschultz decorated his office with Phish memorabilia and sneakers from his collection of rare Air Jordans.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026
Bobby Gene and I started pulling out the memorabilia.
From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon
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.
