What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mnemic
Example
The smell of freshly baked cookies is mnemic for me, reminding me of my childhood. [mnemic: adjective]
Example
She used a mnemic device to remember the order of the planets. [mnemic: noun]
mnemonic
Example
ROYGBIV is a mnemonic for remembering the colors of the rainbow. [mnemonic: noun]
Example
She used a mnemonic device to remember the names of the Great Lakes. [mnemonic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mnemonic is more commonly used than mnemic in everyday language. Mnemonic is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mnemic is less common and has a more specialized usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mnemic and mnemonic?
Both mnemic and mnemonic can be used in formal or technical contexts, but mnemonic is more commonly used in educational or learning settings, making it slightly more informal than mnemic.