reminisce

American  

[rem-uh-nis] / ˌrɛm əˈnɪs /

verb (used without object)

reminisced, reminiscing

1. to recall past experiences, events, etc.; indulge in reminiscence.

   Synonyms:

   muse, recollect, remember

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reminisce British  

/ ˌrɛmɪˈnɪs /

verb

1. (intr) to talk or write about old times, past experiences, etc

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Etymology

Origin of reminisce

First recorded in 1820–30; back formation from reminiscence

Explanation

Reminisce is a dreamy way of saying "remember the past." If you're swapping old stories with friends and remembering all the silly things you used to do, then you're reminiscing. Reminiscing is all about happy recollections and thinking back to stories from the past. It's hard to reminisce about the old days with someone you don't know very well or haven't known very long, since a key part of reminiscing is a shared history. But just about anyone can reminisce about going elementary school, learning to tie shoelaces, or getting that first job.

Example Sentences

Fatman Scoop was due to perform at the UK’s Reminisce Festival on 7 September.

From BBC • Aug. 31, 2024

Reminisce about the Bluebonnet Bowl, the postseason game once played in the old Houston Astrodome that was the setting for the only pervious matchup of the Boilermakers and Volunteers in 1979.

From Fox News • Dec. 14, 2021

One of the city's finest retro nights, Reminisce finds DJs Underdog and Harry Hotter taking it back to the '90s with hip-hop, reggae and R&B jams at Liv.

From Washington Post • Jun. 25, 2015

A version of this article appears in print on February 27, 2014, on page E6 of the with the headline: After a Fire Sale, Time to Reminisce.

From New York Times • Feb. 26, 2014

Protected by all the Gray Hair that was left to him, he began to Reminisce, going back to the Days when it was considered a Great Lark to put a Cow in the Chapel.

From Knocking the Neighbors by Ade, George

Related Words

• look back
• remind