Word
memorabilia
Phoneticsmem·o·ra·bil·ia
US/ˌmɛmɝəˈbiɫjə/
UK/mˌɛməɹɐbˈɪliə/
Definition
n. objects that people collect because they are connected to a famous person, place, or event. You keep these things to help you remember a special time or interest.
n. objects kept or collected because of their historical interest or their association with memorable people or events.
Examples
“He has a room full of sports memorabilia.”
“The museum's collection includes rare movie memorabilia, such as original costumes and signed scripts from the 1950s.”
“While some view old concert tickets as mere clutter, for collectors, such memorabilia represents a tangible connection to a specific cultural moment that can appreciate significantly in value over time.”
Examples
simple
“He has a room full of sports memorabilia.”
contextual
“The museum's collection includes rare movie memorabilia, such as original costumes and signed scripts from the 1950s.”
complex
“While some view old concert tickets as mere clutter, for collectors, such memorabilia represents a tangible connection to a specific cultural moment that can appreciate significantly in value over time.”
Pitfall
I bought many memorabilias
I bought a lot of memorabilia
Memorabilia is an uncountable mass noun and should not be used in a plural form with an 's'.
Real-World Examples
“It has a collection of memorabilia including fridge magnets, key rings, tea towels and “nearly every T-shirt you can buy”.” “She had a “mom cave” in our home in Seattle that was full of art supplies, boxes of papers, photos, negatives and memorabilia.” “Inside, it was a house of horrors, full of murder memorabilia.”