commemorate
kuh-MEM-uh-rayt
/kəˈmɛməreɪt/
To recall and show respect for someone or something; to celebrate an event or person by doing something special.
Implies a degree of formality and shared public or family recognition.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'commemoratus,' meaning 'to bring to mind.' The 'com-' prefix adds the sense of 'together,' suggesting that commemoration is often a collective act of memory.
Word relationships
- honor: To honor is to show respect; to commemorate is to perform a specific act of remembrance.
- ignore: To ignore is to purposefully not acknowledge, the opposite of active commemoration.
Commonly confused with
- celebrate: Celebrate is more joyous and general; commemorate is more formal and often involves a specific tribute.
Word family
- commemoration (noun): The act of commemorating.
- commemorative (adjective): Serving to commemorate.
Collocations
- commemorate an occasion
- commemorate a milestone
- ceremony to commemorate
Example sentences
- "The couple decided to commemorate their twenty-fifth anniversary by planting an oak tree in their garden." Discussing how to mark a special date.
- "We are here to commemorate the heroism of those who fell." A formal citation regarding remembrance.
Memory hook
Co (together) + Memory = Remembering something together. Bringing memories together.
When not to use
Too heavy for a casual 'happy birthday' text; use it for organized events or significant tributes.
Fun facts
- Commemorative stamps are often issued by postal services to mark anniversaries of historical events.
Related words
Also appears in
- Travel & Culture → Festivals & Celebrations
- Time & History → Memory & Forgetting
- Time & History → Commemoration & Remembrances
- Occasions, Holidays & Parties → Birthdays & Aging
- Occasions, Holidays & Parties → Funerals, Wakes & Memorials
- Occasions, Holidays & Parties → Retirement Celebrations
- Occasions, Holidays & Parties → National Independence Days
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