noun

memento mori

muh-MEN-toh MOR-ee

Memento mori (noun) means an object or image kept as a reminder that death comes to everyone, such as a skull, an hourglass or a wilting flower in a painting. Example: “The skull on the desk in the portrait is a memento mori.”

noun

An object or image kept as a reminder that death comes to everyone, such as a skull, an hourglass or a wilting flower in a painting.

"The skull on the desk in the portrait is a memento mori."

"He wore the ring as a memento mori, engraved with the date of his father's death."

Any reminder, event or saying that brings home the shortness of life.

"The funeral was a memento mori for everyone in that room."

How to Use Memento mori

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething kept around to remind you that you will die one day.

When to use it

Literary and artistic; common in art history, tattoo culture and Stoic writing.

Memory tip

A memento is any keepsake; a memento mori is specifically a reminder of death.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

memento → carpe diem → vanitas

Common pairings

a memento mori memento mori symbolism memento mori tattoo

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “memento mori” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The skull on the desk in the portrait is a _____.

Etymology

Latin, literally 'remember that you must die', from memento 'remember' and mori 'to die'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

death's head vanitas reminder of mortality

Rhymes for memento mori

Ori nori tori Lori hori Cori Mori Maori Kaori Aomori Midori Shiori

See all rhymes for memento mori →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does memento mori mean literally?

It is Latin for 'remember that you must die'. It was used as a moral reminder that worldly success and pleasure are temporary.

What is the difference between memento mori and carpe diem?

Memento mori tells you to remember death, usually to encourage humility and moral seriousness. Carpe diem, 'seize the day', draws the opposite conclusion from the same fact and urges you to enjoy life now.

What is the plural of memento mori?

The phrase is used unchanged for both singular and plural: one memento mori, several memento mori.