noun

reminiscence

rem-i-NIS-uhns

Reminiscence (noun) means a spoken or written account of something a person remembers from their own past. Example: “Her memoir is full of warm reminiscences of a childhood spent by the sea.”

noun

A spoken or written account of something a person remembers from their own past.

"Her memoir is full of warm reminiscences of a childhood spent by the sea."

The act of thinking or talking about past experiences, usually with pleasure.

"The evening dissolved into reminiscence about old colleagues."

A feature of something that faintly recalls something else.

"There is a reminiscence of early Bowie in the album's opening track."

How to use reminiscence

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRemembering the past out loud, or a story about something you remember.

When to use it

Slightly literary; common in memoirs and obituaries.

Memory tip

The verb is reminisce, and it takes about: to reminisce about school days.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

nostalgia → recollection → reminisce →

Common pairings

fond reminiscence lapse into reminiscence reminiscences of childhood

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Her memoir is full of warm _____ of a childhood spent by the sea.

Etymology

From Latin reminisci "to remember, call to mind", from re- "again" and a root related to mens "mind".

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

recollection memory anecdote remembrance nostalgia retrospection echo trace hint suggestion

Related words

line story idea sound sign advice wind memory

Rhymes for reminiscence

hence fence whence thence Spence valence absence science silence defence essence ambience

See all rhymes for reminiscence →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a reminiscence and a memory?

A memory is the thing your mind holds; a reminiscence is usually the sharing of it. You have a memory privately, but you offer a reminiscence to someone, in speech or on the page.

Is reminiscence the same as nostalgia?

No. Reminiscence is the act of recalling the past, and it can be neutral or even painful. Nostalgia is the specific warm, wistful longing for a past you view fondly.

What is the meaning of reminiscence?

"reminiscence" (noun) means a spoken or written account of something a person remembers from their own past.

What is another word for reminiscence?

Other words for "reminiscence" include recollection, memory, anecdote, remembrance, nostalgia, retrospection.

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line story idea sound sign advice wind memory