Word
keepsake
Phoneticskeep·sake, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkipˌseɪk/
UK/kˈiːpseɪk/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small object you keep because it reminds you of a person, place, or special time. You keep it for the memory, not because it is worth money.
n. a small object retained for sentimental value as a reminder of a person, place, or event.
Examples
“She keeps the ticket as a keepsake from the concert.”
“After her grandmother died, she kept the old brooch as a keepsake of their time together.”
“The chipped mug, worthless to anyone else, remained his most treasured keepsake from years spent working beside his father in the small bakery.”
Examples
simple
“She keeps the ticket as a keepsake from the concert.”
contextual
“After her grandmother died, she kept the old brooch as a keepsake of their time together.”
complex
“The chipped mug, worthless to anyone else, remained his most treasured keepsake from years spent working beside his father in the small bakery.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “keepsake” in context.
Verb
01. cherish keepsake
“She will always cherish the keepsake her best friend gave her.”
verb + noun
02. collect keepsake
“We collect a small keepsake from every city we visit together.”
verb + noun
03. give as keepsake
“They gave each guest a shell as a keepsake from the wedding.”
verb + prep + noun
04. keep as keepsake
“He kept the programme as a keepsake from his first theatre visit.”
verb + prep + noun
05. keepsake evokes
“That keepsake evokes happy memories of my childhood holidays.”
noun + verb
06. keepsake reminds
“This keepsake reminds me of our summer in Cornwall.”
noun + verb
Adjective
07. family keepsake
“The ring has been a family keepsake for three generations.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. keepsake album
“He made a keepsake album with photos from their year abroad.”
noun + noun
09. keepsake box
“She stores old letters and photos in a wooden keepsake box.”
noun + noun
10. box full of keepsakes
“She opened a box full of keepsakes from her school days.”
11. hold onto a keepsake
“He still holds onto a keepsake from his grandfather's travels.”
12. keep it as a keepsake
“I kept the ticket stub to keep it as a keepsake.”
Etymology
From keep + sake.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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