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.

---

souvenir British  

/ ˌsuːvəˈnɪə, ˈsuːvəˌnɪə /

noun

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

---

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

The limited-edition Shohei Ohtani souvenir cup available at Dodger Stadium concession stands this season is pretty cool.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

As for the tchotchkes, they ran the gamut from tacky souvenir to sentimental heirloom.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 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

Standing on a lively street in El Tunco, lined with bars, restaurants and souvenir shops selling T-shirts -- some printed with Bukele's face -- Lopez was philosophical about rights abuses in El Salvador.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

Maybe she found the postcard at a souvenir shop.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Related Words

• gift
• memento
• relic
• trophy