What does "remember" mean?

1. (to recall information) to have a picture or information in your mind from the past. 2. (to not forget a task) to keep something in your mind so that you do it. 3. (to commemorate) to do something special to show you are thinking of a person or event from the past. 4. (to give a gift or tip) to give someone money or a gift to thank them for their help. 5. (to send greetings) to give someone's good wishes to another person.

How do you use "remember"?

often used with a direct object or a 'that' clause. takes a to-infinitive when referring to a future or required action. often used in the context of wills or formal gratitude. typically used in the imperative 'remember me to...'

Is it correct to say "I am remembering my childhood."?

No — say "I remember my childhood.". When describing a state of having a memory, use the simple present, not the continuous form.

Is it correct to say "I remembered to locking the door."?

No — say "I remembered to lock the door.". Use 'remember + to-infinitive' for a task you need to do. Use 'remember + -ing' for a memory of a past action.

remember

US //ɹiˈmɛmbɝ// UK //ɹɪmˈɛmbɐ// re·mem·ber

1 to recall information (v.)
A1 Beginner

to have a picture or information in your mind from the past.

to retrieve information or images from memory; to have a mental representation of a past event.

Example

I remember her face clearly, but I cannot recall her name.

Example

Even after twenty years, he could vividly remember the scent of the pine forest where they had spent their summers.

Usage

often used with a direct object or a 'that' clause.
- recall
- recollect
- forget
Pitfall

I am remembering my childhood.

I remember my childhood.

When describing a state of having a memory, use the simple present, not the continuous form.
2 to not forget a task (v.)
A2 Elementary

to keep something in your mind so that you do it.

to remain mindful of a duty or intended action; to avoid forgetting a required task.

Example

Please remember to turn off the lights before you leave the office.

Example

The pilot must remember to check the fuel levels manually before every takeoff, regardless of what the digital display indicates.

Usage

takes a to-infinitive when referring to a future or required action.
- keep in mind
- forget
- neglect
Pitfall

I remembered to locking the door.

I remembered to lock the door.

Use 'remember + to-infinitive' for a task you need to do. Use 'remember + -ing' for a memory of a past action.

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3 to commemorate (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to do something special to show you are thinking of a person or event from the past.

to honour the memory of a person or event through a formal act or ceremony.

Example

Every year, the town gathers to remember those who died in the war.

Example

The monument was erected to remember the victims of the flood and to serve as a permanent reminder of the community's resilience.
- commemorate
- honour
- ignore
- disregard
4 to give a gift or tip (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to give someone money or a gift to thank them for their help.

to reward someone with a gift or a legacy, typically as a token of appreciation for past service.

Example

In his will, he remembered all of his loyal employees with a small gift.

Example

The elderly gentleman always remembered the staff at Christmas with a generous bonus in recognition of their attentive service throughout the year.

Usage

often used in the context of wills or formal gratitude.
- reward
- tip
5 to send greetings (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

to give someone's good wishes to another person.

to convey greetings or kind regards from one person to another.

Example

Please remember me to your parents when you see them next week.

Example

Before hanging up the phone, she asked him to remember her to his sister, whom she hadn't seen since the wedding.

Usage

typically used in the imperative 'remember me to...'
- greet

Etymology 1

From Middle English remembren, from Old French remembrer (“to remember”), from Late Latin rememorari (“to remember again”), from re- + memor (“mindful”), from Proto-Indo-European mer-, (s)mer- (“to think about, be mindful, remember”). Cognate with Old English mimorian, mymerian (“to remember, commemorate”), Old English māmorian (“to deliberate, plan out, design”). More at mammer. etymology note The success of the Old French word was helped by its proximity in sound and meaning to an existing Germanic word: Old English mimorian, mymerian (“to remember, commemorate”) from Proto-Germanic mimrōną, mīmrōną (“to remember, be mindful”), from the same Indo-European source, and is akin to Saterland Frisian miemerje (“to ponder, reflect”), Middle Low German mimeren (“to ponder, meditate”), Middle Dutch mimeren (“to reflect, think to oneself”) (Dutch mijmeren (“to muse, reflect deeply”)), Old English ġemimor (“mindful”), Old Norse Mímir, Mim (“Norse god of memory”), Old English māmrian (“to think out, design”). Related to mourn. Displaced native Middle English ȝemuneȝen (“to remember”), from Old English ġemynegian (“to remember, remind”); Middle English minnen (“to remember, have in mind”), from Old Norse minna (“to remind”); Middle English munden, ȝemunden (“to bear in mind, remember”), from Old English ġemynd (“memory, remembrance”); Middle English ithenchen, ȝethenchen (“to think on, remember”), from Old English ġeþencan; Middle English manien (“to remind, mention, remember”), from Old English manian (“to admonish, remind, mention”).

Etymology 2

From re- + member.

Word family

Verbremember
Nounremembrance