What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
memory
Example
I have a good memory for names and faces. [memory: noun]
Example
That memory still haunts me to this day. [memory: noun]
Example
I can't seem to remember where I put my keys. [remember: verb]
reminiscence
Example
Grandma loves to share her reminiscences of growing up during the war. [reminiscence: noun]
Example
I had a sudden reminiscence of my childhood home while walking down the street. [reminiscence: noun]
Example
He spent hours reminiscing about his college days with his old friends. [reminiscing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Memory is a more common word than reminiscence in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and can be used in both formal and informal settings. Reminiscence is more commonly used in nostalgic or sentimental contexts, such as storytelling or personal reflection.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between memory and reminiscence?
Memory is a more versatile word that can be used in various formality levels, while reminiscence is typically associated with a more formal or literary tone.
