memories: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral (used across all registers from formal to informal).
Quick answer
What does “memories” mean?
Mental records of past experiences, people, events, or learned information retained in the mind.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Mental records of past experiences, people, events, or learned information retained in the mind.
Can refer to the overall capacity to remember, the process of recollection, or objects/symbols that serve as reminders of the past.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is the same.
Connotations
Identical; both carry the same emotional and cognitive weight.
Frequency
Equally common and frequent in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “memories” in a Sentence
have memories of + noun/gerundmemories of + noun phrasememories from + time periodtrigger/jog memoriesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “memories” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She memories her childhood summers in Cornwall with great fondness. (rare/poetic)
American English
- He memories the old tunes perfectly. (rare/archaic)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form; 'memorably' is used from 'memorable')
American English
- (No standard adverbial form; 'memorably' is used from 'memorable')
adjective
British English
- The memory stick was full. (relating to computer storage)
- A memory book of the wedding.
American English
- The memory card is corrupted.
- A memory foam mattress.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in branding/nostalgia marketing ('evoke memories of quality') or corporate history.
Academic
Used in psychology, neuroscience, history, and literature studies.
Everyday
Most common use: discussing personal past experiences, family, and childhood.
Technical
In computing: refers to data storage (RAM, flash memory).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “memories”
- *many memories (correct: many memories/a lot of memories)
- Using it as a singular uncountable noun (*'The memory of my holiday is good' vs. 'My memories of the holiday are good').
- Misspelling as 'memoeries' or 'memoires'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the standard plural form of the countable noun 'memory'. It refers to multiple individual recollections.
'Memory' can be uncountable (the faculty of remembering) or countable (a single recollection). 'Memories' is always plural and refers to multiple specific recollections.
No, as a plural noun, it takes a plural verb (e.g., 'My memories are clear', not 'is clear').
Yes, 'many memories' is grammatically correct. 'A lot of memories' is more common in informal speech.
Mental records of past experiences, people, events, or learned information retained in the mind.
Memories is usually neutral (used across all registers from formal to informal). in register.
Memories: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmem.ər.iz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmem.ə.riz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A trip/walk down memory lane”
- “In living memory”
- “If memory serves”
- “To the best of my recollection”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MEMOries' - like memos or notes your brain writes to itself about the past.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A STORAGE CONTAINER (e.g., 'full of memories', 'store memories'). MEMORIES ARE PHYSICAL OBJECTS (e.g., 'hold onto memories', 'memory faded').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'memories' used in a TECHNICAL sense?