reˈminder: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral/Formal
Quick answer
What does “reˈminder” mean?
A thing that causes someone to remember or think about something again.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thing that causes someone to remember or think about something again.
A communication or notification designed to prompt an action or recall; an object or event that serves as a memorial or keepsake of a person or past event.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The concept and usage are identical. Spelling differences follow national norms (e.g., 'reminder' vs. *'remindor').
Connotations
Identical. Both imply prompting memory or action.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “reˈminder” in a Sentence
reminder of [something]reminder to [do something]reminder that [clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reˈminder” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - 'reminder' is not a verb. The related verb is 'remind'.
American English
- N/A - 'reminder' is not a verb. The related verb is 'remind'.
adverb
British English
- N/A - No adverb form.
American English
- N/A - No adverb form.
adjective
British English
- N/A - No direct adjective form. 'Remindful' is archaic.
American English
- N/A - No direct adjective form. 'Remindful' is archaic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Formal notifications for deadlines, payments, or appointments (e.g., 'We sent a final reminder for the invoice.').
Academic
Used to denote prompts for study schedules or referencing historical events as illustrative parallels (e.g., 'The artifact is a potent reminder of ancient trade routes.').
Everyday
Common for appointments, birthdays, tasks (e.g., 'I set a phone reminder for the dentist.').
Technical
In computing: automated system notifications (e.g., 'The calendar application generates email reminders.').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reˈminder”
- Using uncountable form (*'I need some reminder'). It is countable: 'a reminder'.
- Confusing spelling with 'remembrance' (which is more about ceremonial memory).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral. It is perfectly acceptable in both casual conversation ('a reminder on my phone') and formal writing ('a formal reminder is hereby issued').
A 'memo' (memorandum) is typically a written message within an organisation, which may contain new information or decisions. A 'reminder' is specifically a prompt about something already known or agreed, and can be verbal, digital, or physical.
Yes. It often is. For example, 'a reminder of past failures' or 'a grim reminder of the war'. Its emotional valence depends entirely on context.
The verb is 'to remind'. 'Reminder' is the noun derived from it, meaning 'a thing or person that reminds'.
A thing that causes someone to remember or think about something again.
Reˈminder: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈmaɪn.dər/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈmaɪn.dɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A living reminder”
- “A stark reminder”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-MIND-ER. Something that puts a fact 'back into your MIND' again.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEMORY IS AN OBJECT THAT CAN BE GIVEN/RECEIVED (e.g., 'He gave me a reminder'); FORGETFULNESS IS A CONTAINER (e.g., 'A reminder pulls the thought out of oblivion').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'reminder'?