remembrancer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “remembrancer” mean?
An official whose duty is to remind others of important tasks or payments.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An official whose duty is to remind others of important tasks or payments; a commemorative token or person.
More broadly, anyone or anything that serves to remind or keep something in memory, often used in formal, historical, or literary contexts. It can refer to physical objects (like mementos) or official roles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Strong UK association. In the UK, 'Remembrancer' is a specific historical/law title (e.g., Queen's/King's Remembrancer, Remembrancer of the City of London). US usage is virtually non-existent outside of historical references or very deliberate literary use.
Connotations
UK: Officialdom, history, tradition, the Exchequer. US (if used): archaic, esoteric, bookish.
Frequency
Very rare in general English. Almost all contemporary usage is UK-specific and pertains to the official post.
Grammar
How to Use “remembrancer” in a Sentence
the Remembrancer of [Institution]serve as Remembrancer foract as a remembrancer ofVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “remembrancer” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Queen's Remembrancer is the oldest judicial position in England.
- The old statue stood as a grim remembrancer of the war.
American English
- In his historical novel, the character was appointed Remembrancer of the Treasury.
- She kept the locket as a remembrancer of her grandmother.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business. Historical reference to financial/legal office.
Academic
Used in historical, legal, or literary studies discussing medieval/early modern English administration or mnemonic devices.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound archaic or deliberately poetic.
Technical
Specific term in English constitutional history and law for certain Treasury/City officials.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “remembrancer”
- Using it as a fancy synonym for a common reminder or post-it note.
- Incorrect capitalisation when referring to the official title.
- Pronouncing it as /riː'membrənsə/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare in everyday language and is primarily used in specific historical or formal British contexts.
It is a senior official in the UK Justice system, originally a financial officer of the Exchequer, now a judge of the High Court with ceremonial duties.
Only in a very literary or archaic style. In modern English, words like 'memento', 'keepsake', or 'souvenir' are standard.
A 'reminder' is a general, common word for anything that causes you to remember. 'Remembrancer' is either a specific official title or a very formal/literary term for a person or object that serves as a reminder, often with a solemn or enduring quality.
An official whose duty is to remind others of important tasks or payments.
Remembrancer is usually formal, historical, literary in register.
Remembrancer: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈmɛmbrənsə/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈmɛmbrənsər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A REMEMBRANCER helps the realm REMEMBER its financial claims.'
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON/OBJECT IS A RECORD-KEEPER OF THE PAST.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'remembrancer' most likely to be used correctly today?