reminiscing

American  

[rem-uh-nis-ing] / ˌrɛm əˈnɪs ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of recalling past experiences or events, especially with pleasure or nostalgia.

   The benefits of reminiscing are widely recognized as having a positive effect on the emotional well-being of elderly people.

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adjective

1. engaged in or expressing such recollection.

   The reminiscing narrator sprinkles the narrative with self-conscious comments like "I remember" or "Funny, the things you remember."

Etymology

Origin of reminiscing

First recorded in 1865–70; reminisc(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ for the noun; reminisc(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² for the adjective

Example Sentences

He worked with my sister in “War of the Worlds,” and I was like a 5-year-old running around on set, and we were kind of reminiscing about that.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

Former “Grey’s Anatomy” showrunner Krista Vernoff shared an Instagram post fondly reminiscing about when Dane returned to the set in 2021 to film a dream sequence featuring his character, who died in Season 9.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

Their podcast is described as having "no script, no agenda, and no interruptions - it's the duo catching up, reminiscing, and seeing where the conversation takes them".

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2026

Seven Fishes is about reminiscing on the year while letting go of whatever you’d like to leave behind.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2025

Tío Octavio closes his eyes and shakes his head, as if reminiscing about a lost love.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez