souvenir

noun

sou·​ve·​nir ˈsü-və-ˌnir How to pronounce souvenir (audio)
ˌsü-və-ˈnir
Synonyms of souvenir
: something kept as a reminder (as of a place one has visited)
a souvenir of her travels
a souvenir shop

Synonyms of souvenir

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Examples of souvenir in a Sentence

When I went to the Super Bowl, I kept my ticket stub as a souvenir. kept their love letters as souvenirs of their courtship
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pairing rolled clothing with compression packing cubes, like this Bagail six-piece set with mesh panels to easily see what’s inside, can help keep outfits organized while creating extra room for souvenirs on the way home. — Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2026 The team's official drumline, The Pack, pounded on illuminated drums during quarter breaks, while Skye, the team's sassy, blue-haired lioness mascot, jumped onto the T-shirt cannon to launch souvenir merchandise high into stadium seats. — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026 For edible souvenirs, don’t miss Carosello Pasta, a specialty grocer and pastificio (Italy’s lilting word for pasta factory) that sources Midwest grains to craft pasta of every shape and shade. — Stacey Brugeman, Midwest Living, 27 Aug. 2026 But Dolly stayed on stage, signing autographs, chatting with fans, forever smiling as popping flashcubes signaled someone had snapped another souvenir. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for souvenir

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, act of remembering, from Middle French, from (se) souvenir to remember, from Latin subvenire to come up, come to mind — more at subvention

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of souvenir was in 1782

Phrases Containing souvenir

Rhymes for souvenir

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Browse Nearby Words

Soutine
souvenir
souvenir sheet
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Cite this Entry

“Souvenir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/souvenir. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

souvenir

noun
sou·​ve·​nir ˈsü-və-ˌni(ə)r How to pronounce souvenir (audio)
ˌsü-və-ˈni(ə)r
: something that serves as a reminder : memento
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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