noun
keepsake
KEEP-sayk
Keepsake (noun) means an object kept to remember a person or event, valued for sentimental rather than practical reasons. Example: “She kept the ring as a keepsake from her grandmother.”
noun
1
An object kept to remember a person or event, valued for sentimental rather than practical reasons.
"He walked on hastily, and as he went he hid Jezebel's keepsake first under his cloak, and then deeper, under the sober grey justicor, or waistcoat, near the place where his Presbyterian heart was beating all too unsoberly."
— Samuel Rutherford Crockett, The Cherry Ribband: A Novel (1905)
"She kept the ring as a keepsake from her grandmother."
"He bought a small keepsake to remember the trip by."
"Clam-shells are fashionable keepsakes. You write your name and the date inside one and your friend writes hers in the other and you exchange."
— L. M. Montgomery, The Golden Road (1913)
"Meghan’s growing list of As Ever products includes a crepe mix, a shortbread mix with flower sprinkles, apricot spread in “keepsake packaging”, a limited-edition orange blossom honey and various teas."
— Edward Helmore, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, launches ‘thoughtful’ collection of wines (2025)
How to use keepsake
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sentimental memento — something you keep because of who gave it to you or what it reminds you of.
Common pairings
sentimental keepsake
a keepsake from
keep as a keepsake
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Word forms
- Plural
- keepsakes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She kept the ring as a _____ from her grandmother.
Etymology
A compound of keep and sake, literally "something kept for the sake of" someone or something.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for keepsake
See all rhymes for keepsake →Frequently asked questions
What does “keepsake” mean?
The word “keepsake” means an object kept to remember a person or event, valued for sentimental rather than practical reasons. In plain terms, a sentimental memento — something you keep because of who gave it to you or what it reminds you of.
How do you pronounce “keepsake”?
“Keepsake” is pronounced KEEP-sayk (/ˈkiːp.seɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “keepsake” in a sentence?
Here is “keepsake” used in a sentence: “She kept the ring as a keepsake from her grandmother.”
What part of speech is “keepsake”?
“Keepsake” is a noun.
