Home › Occasions, Holidays & Parties › Gift Giving & Receiving › keepsake

keepsake

KEEP-sayk /ˈkiːpseɪk/

nounB2SAT

general

A small item kept in memory of a person, place, or event; a memento.

A keepsake usually has high sentimental value but little to no monetary value. It is kept specifically 'for the sake of' remembering the giver or occasion.

The story behind the word. First appearing in the late 18th century, 'keepsake' is a wonderfully literal English compound. It was coined to describe a token that you keep ('keep') for the sake ('sake') of the person who gave it to you, ensuring their memory remains alive.

Word relationships

memento: 'Memento' is of Latin origin and can refer to any reminder of the past, whereas 'keepsake' is a Germanic compound that strongly implies a personal gift from a loved one.
souvenir: A 'souvenir' is specifically associated with a place visited during travel, while a 'keepsake' is usually associated with a specific person.

disposable: A 'disposable' item is meant to be thrown away after use, carrying no memory value.

Commonly confused with

heirloom: 'Heirloom' refers to a valuable family possession passed down through generations, while a 'keepsake' can be a simple, inexpensive item of personal significance.

Word family

keepsakes (noun): Plural form of keepsake.

Collocations

treasured keepsake
family keepsake
precious keepsake
keep as a keepsake

Example sentences

"She kept the old silver coin as a keepsake of her trip to Rome." Cherishing a family heirloom.

Memory hook

You 'keep' it for the 'sake' of the person who gave it to you. Keep it for their sake.

When not to use

Do not use for valuable assets, investments, or purely functional tools unless they have been retired to serve as a memory aid.

Fun facts

In the 19th century, 'Keepsakes' were a popular genre of illustrated gift books filled with poetry and literature, designed to be given as elegant holiday presents.