# reminiscent

/ˌɹɛməˈnɪsənt/ (US) · /ɹˌɛmɪnˈɪsənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reminiscent
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. reminding you of something

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

making you think of something else because it is similar.

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

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

### 2. thinking about the past

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

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

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

- She had a reminiscent look in her eyes as she told stories about her old school.
- The author adopts a reminiscent tone throughout the memoir, weaving together fragments of childhood memory with adult reflection.

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

## Examples

- The smell of fresh bread is reminiscent of my childhood.
- The architect designed the new library with high arches reminiscent of a medieval cathedral.
- Her latest novel features a prose style heavily reminiscent of early twentieth-century modernism, characterized by long, flowing sentences and deep psychological introspection.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.