ENGLISH
REFERENCE

reminiscent

adj.
US //ˌɹɛməˈnɪsənt// UK //ɹˌɛmɪnˈɪsənt// rem·i·nis·cent
  1. 1 reminding you of something (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    making you think of something else because it is similar.

    tending to evoke memories or suggest a similarity to a previous experience, person, or object; typically used with the preposition 'of'.

    Example

    The smell of the ocean was reminiscent of his summer holidays as a child.

    Example

    The building's curved glass facade is clearly reminiscent of the architect's earlier work in Chicago, though it incorporates more sustainable materials.

    Usage

    Almost exclusively used in the pattern 'reminiscent of [something]'.
    Pitfall
    The song is reminiscent to my childhood.
    The song is reminiscent of my childhood.

    Always use the preposition 'of' after reminiscent, never 'to'.

  2. 2 thinking about the past (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary Formal

    showing that you are thinking about past experiences with interest or pleasure.

    characterised by or prone to reminiscence; showing a tendency to recall past events.

    Example

    She had a reminiscent look in her eyes as she told stories about her old school.

    Example

    The author adopts a reminiscent tone throughout the memoir, weaving together fragments of childhood memory with adult reflection.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is less common than the 'reminding of' sense; it describes the person's mood rather than the object's qualities.
Origin

From Latin reminīscēns, present participle of reminīscor (“remember”), from re- (“again”) + min-, base of me-min-isse (“to remember, think over”), akin to mens (“mind”); see mental, mind, etc.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026