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
1
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."
2
The act of thinking or talking about past experiences, usually with pleasure.
"The evening dissolved into reminiscence about old colleagues."
3
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 notesIn 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
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".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for reminiscence
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, recall, nostalgia.
