What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
souvenir
Example
I bought a souvenir keychain from my trip to Paris. [souvenir: noun]
Example
The photo album serves as a souvenir of our family vacation. [souvenir: noun]
Example
She kept the concert ticket as a souvenir of the memorable night. [souvenir: noun]
gift
Example
I gave her a gift for her birthday. [gift: noun]
Example
He gifted me a book on my favorite topic. [gifted: verb]
Example
The company gave its employees a gift card for the holidays. [gift: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gift is more commonly used than souvenir in everyday language. Gift is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while souvenir is less common and refers to a specific type of item purchased as a reminder of a place or experience.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between souvenir and gift?
Both souvenir and gift can be used in formal and informal contexts, but gift is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.