memento

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'memento' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is a noun that refers to an object or item that serves as a reminder or keepsake of a person, place, or event. Examples: - She kept a small seashell as a memento from her vacation to the beach. - The museum offers mementos such as postcards and keychains for visitors to purchase. - He gave his girlfriend a necklace with a personalized pendant as a memento of their anniversary. - The old man had a box filled with mementos from his travels around the world. - The photograph served as a memento of their friendship that lasted for decades.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For those looking for a cheap memento, a 12-inch by 12-inch piece of AstroTurf cost $20.

The Guardian

I know too that you can feel you are fine but then suddenly someone's words of comfort, or finding a memento at the back of the cupboard as you pack up, or even cracking jokes about old times, can bring forth a pain that hits you like a fist, pain so strong you feel it in your guts, your nerve endings.

The Guardian

Buy from Amazon.co.ukHAD Charles Ephrussi, art-lover and banking scion, been asked to choose a memento of himself to future generations what might he have picked?

The Economist

It may be depressing at times, but it is not a tragic memento.

The Economist

Yet how honest, in contrast, they are about mortality itself.The commonest of all graveyard sentiments, for centuries until about 1850, was some variant of this memento mori Behold the place wherein I lyeFor as thou art sometyme was IAnd as I am so shalt thou beFrom lyfe to death follow meSo runs the memorial brass of Ioane Day in the splendid flint-walled church of Clavering, Essex.

The Economist

The pilgrim looks east Memento mori Revolving doors Correction: Pascal Lamy Reprints Related items Integrating minorities: The war of the headscarvesFeb 5th 2004 France and Muslim countries: Veil of tearsJan 15th 2004 Religion in France: Veil of woesDec 11th 2003Not if some groups have their way.

The Economist

The pilgrim looks east Memento mori Revolving doors Correction: Pascal Lamy Reprints Related items The European Commission: A leap forward, or a long marchAug 19th 2004.

The Economist

There was probably no irony intended in the choice of memento: a plate emblazoned with a picture of the Great Wall.

The Economist

This is the main reason why, unfocused as it is, this last work is at times an almost unbearably poignant memento of a great artistic legacy .There's nothing to be alarmed about but my life seems to be over," says Gito, late in the play.

The Economist

And he said that the new course would continue for as long as necessary.In this section Freedom fighter Revolution in the air Right target, wrong shots Memento Modi A new specie Reprints Related topics National debt Business Fixed-income securities Government bonds Bond marketsThe prices of shares and government bonds have leapt, while the yen has slumped (see article).

The Economist

Aside from its status as a remarkable memento of the German occupation of France, the novel written during the second world war but only published in 2004 after it was found in the notebooks the author had entrusted to her daughter builds a complex, two-part portrait of French life during the conflict.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "memento" when you want to emphasize the personal and sentimental value of an object as a reminder of a specific event or person.

Common error

While "memento" is generally acceptable in most writing, consider more neutral or formal alternatives like "souvenir" or "memorabilia" in professional or academic contexts where sentimentality might be less appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "memento" is as a noun. It refers to an object serving as a reminder. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various written contexts, as evidenced by the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "memento" functions as a noun referring to an object serving as a reminder of a person, place, or event. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and widespread usage of "memento" across numerous sources. It's generally a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, with frequent appearances in news and media, encyclopedias and science articles. While it can be used interchangeably with "souvenir" and "keepsake", "memento" often carries a deeper sentimental connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

souvenir

A direct synonym referring to a keepsake of a place or event.

keepsake

Another synonym emphasizing the cherished nature of the item.

reminder

Focuses on the object's function to bring something to mind.

token

Highlights the symbolic value of the object.

relic

Suggests an object of historical or sentimental value.

memorial

Emphasizes remembrance, especially of a deceased person or past event.

commemoration

A more formal term for remembering an event or person.

remembrance

Focuses on the act of recalling someone or something.

artifact

Implies an object of historical or cultural significance that serves as a record of the past.

record

Refers to something that preserves information about the past.

FAQs

What is the difference between "memento" and "souvenir"?

While both terms refer to objects kept as reminders, "memento" often carries a deeper sentimental or personal connection to a specific event or person, while "souvenir" is more commonly used for generic items purchased as reminders of a place.

How do I use "memento" in a sentence?

You can use "memento" to describe an object kept as a reminder of someone or something. For example, "She kept the photograph as a "memento" of their time together." Or "The museum sells "mementos" to help support its operations."

What are some synonyms for "memento"?

Some synonyms for "memento" include "souvenir", "keepsake", "reminder", and "token". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "memento" a formal or informal word?

"Memento" falls in the middle; it is appropriate for both formal and informal use, however, consider the audience when choosing words, some might find "keepsake" or "souvenir" a better fit.