Explanation at your level:
Memory is how you remember things. You use your memory to learn words in English. If you have a good memory, you remember many things easily.
A memory is something you remember from the past. For example, a holiday or a birthday party. You can also talk about computer memory, which is the space on your phone for photos.
Memory is the ability to store information. People often talk about having a 'sharp' or 'poor' memory. It is also used to describe the capacity of digital devices to save files and data.
The term memory covers both cognitive functions and digital storage. We often use it in phrases like 'a trip down memory lane' to describe reminiscing about the past. It is a key concept in psychology and computing.
Beyond the biological faculty, memory is frequently used in cultural and political contexts, such as 'collective memory' or 'historical memory.' It refers to how societies preserve the legacy of past events to shape their future identity and values.
In a literary or philosophical sense, memory is often explored as an elusive or reconstructive process rather than a static recording. It is the bridge between the transient present and the permanent past, forming the essential narrative of human existence.
Palavra em 30 segundos
- Memory is the faculty of the mind to store information.
- It can be countable (a specific event) or uncountable (the ability).
- Common idioms include 'jog your memory' and 'memory lane'.
- Always use 'memorize' as the verb form.
At its core, memory is the amazing power of your brain to hold onto information. Think of it as a mental filing cabinet that keeps track of everything from your first birthday to the capital of France.
Without memory, we couldn't learn new skills or even recognize our friends. It is the foundation of our identity, as our past experiences shape who we are today.
The word memory comes from the Latin word memoria, which itself is derived from memor, meaning 'mindful' or 'remembering.' It has deep roots in ancient Indo-European languages.
Throughout history, philosophers like Plato and Aristotle were fascinated by how we store information. They often compared memory to a wax tablet where experiences are etched into the mind.
You will often hear memory used in both casual and formal contexts. We talk about having a 'good memory' for names or a 'short memory' for grudges.
In technology, it refers to the storage capacity of a computer or phone. Whether you are talking about human biology or digital hardware, the word remains the standard term.
1. In memory of: To honor someone who has passed away. Example: 'The park was built in memory of the local hero.'
2. Jog someone's memory: To help someone remember something. Example: 'Seeing the photo helped jog my memory.'
3. Memory lane: Thinking about the past. Example: 'We took a trip down memory lane looking at old yearbooks.'
4. Commit to memory: To memorize something. Example: 'I had to commit the poem to memory for class.'
5. If my memory serves me correctly: A polite way to say 'if I remember right.' Example: 'If my memory serves me correctly, the store closes at nine.'
Memory is a countable noun when referring to specific recollections (e.g., 'I have many happy memories'), but it is uncountable when referring to the faculty itself (e.g., 'She has a great memory').
Pronunciation: UK /ˈmem.ər.i/, US /ˈmem.ər.i/. It rhymes with 'drapery' and 'scenery'. The stress is always on the first syllable.
Fun Fact
The word is related to the Roman goddess Mnemosyne, the personification of memory.
Pronunciation Guide
Three syllables, clear 'mem' sound.
Similar to UK, slightly more emphasis on the 'r'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it as two syllables
- Misplacing the stress
- Swallowing the middle syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avançado
Grammar to Know
Countable vs Uncountable nouns
A memory vs memory
Verb forms
Memorize vs Memory
Prepositional phrases
In memory of
Examples by Level
I have a good memory.
I remember well.
Noun usage.
Do you remember me?
Recall me?
Verb form.
It is a happy memory.
Nice past event.
Countable noun.
My phone has no memory.
No space left.
Uncountable.
I keep this in my memory.
Remembering it.
Prepositional phrase.
He has a bad memory.
Forgets easily.
Common collocation.
Store it in your memory.
Remember this.
Imperative.
That is a sad memory.
Hard to recall.
Adjective usage.
I have many memories of my childhood.
This computer needs more memory.
She has a memory like an elephant.
I lost my memory of that day.
The song brought back a memory.
He keeps the memory alive.
Do you have a clear memory of it?
My memory is getting better.
The old house is full of memories.
Her memory of the event is fading.
We need to clear the phone memory.
He has a photographic memory.
It is a vivid memory from my youth.
The trial refreshed his memory.
She has a short-term memory.
The monument serves as a memory of peace.
The trauma left a lasting memory.
He has a selective memory about his past.
The system is running low on memory.
We are taking a trip down memory lane.
The experience is etched in my memory.
She has a remarkable memory for detail.
His memory failed him at the interview.
The collective memory of the nation is strong.
The book explores the fallibility of human memory.
He has an encyclopedic memory of the war.
The museum preserves the memory of the victims.
Her memory of the incident was distorted.
The software uses a lot of memory.
The event is deeply embedded in our cultural memory.
She has a sharp memory for faces.
His memory is failing him in his old age.
The poem is a meditation on the nature of memory.
He has a phenomenal memory for abstract concepts.
The architecture evokes a memory of a lost era.
The brain's memory consolidation is complex.
The actor has a prodigious memory for lines.
The tragedy is seared into the city's memory.
She possesses an uncanny memory for dates.
The study of memory is a vast field.
Colocações comuns
Idioms & Expressions
"in memory of"
to honor the dead
We planted a tree in memory of him.
formal"jog one's memory"
to help remember
Look at this map to jog your memory.
neutral"memory lane"
reminiscing
Walking down memory lane is fun.
casual"commit to memory"
to memorize
Commit the speech to memory.
formal"like a sieve"
bad memory
My memory is like a sieve.
casual"if memory serves"
if I recall correctly
If memory serves, he lives here.
neutralEasily Confused
Both relate to past
Remembrance is ceremonial
Day of Remembrance vs my memory.
Root word
Verb vs noun
I memorize words.
Similar root
Monument vs faculty
A war memorial.
Synonym
Action vs faculty
I recall the event.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + have + a + adjective + memory
He has a sharp memory.
Subject + verb + in + memory + of
We did it in memory of her.
Subject + verb + from + memory
She recited it from memory.
Subject + verb + down + memory + lane
We went down memory lane.
Subject + verb + memory + capacity
The device has high memory capacity.
Família de palavras
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Relacionado
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Erros comuns
Memory is a noun, not a verb.
Memory refers to the faculty, not the person.
Remembrance is more about the act of honoring.
Digital storage is uncountable.
Idiomatic usage.
Tips
Memory Palace
Use a mental map to store words.
Native Usage
Use 'jog my memory' instead of 'help me remember'.
Memorials
Public monuments are often called memorials.
Countable vs Uncountable
Faculty = uncountable, event = countable.
Stress
Stress the first syllable.
Verb vs Noun
Don't use memory as a verb.
Elephant Memory
Elephants are said to have great memories.
Spaced Repetition
Review words over time.
Pluralization
y becomes ies.
Digital Context
Memory refers to RAM.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember 'MEM' as 'My Entire Mind'.
Visual Association
A giant filing cabinet in a brain.
Word Web
Desafio
Try to recall 5 things you did yesterday.
Origem da palavra
Latin
Original meaning: mindful, remembering
Contexto cultural
None, universally understood.
Commonly used in both casual conversation and legal/formal documents.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- memorize the facts
- commit to memory
- test my memory
At work
- clear the memory
- memory leak
- system memory
In conversation
- jog my memory
- if memory serves
- fond memories
In history
- collective memory
- memorial service
- in memory of
Conversation Starters
"What is your earliest memory?"
"Do you have a good memory for names?"
"What is your favorite childhood memory?"
"Do you think technology is changing our memory?"
"How do you usually memorize new words?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a memory that makes you smile.
Describe a place that brings back old memories.
How does your memory affect your daily life?
If you could erase one memory, would you?
Perguntas frequentes
8 perguntasNo, it is a noun.
Memories.
Memorable.
It depends on the context.
A storage device.
No, say 'I remember this'.
Recall is the action, memory is the faculty.
To survive and learn.
Teste-se
I have a good ___.
Memory is the faculty to remember.
Which means to learn by heart?
Memorize is the verb form.
Memory is always countable.
It is uncountable when referring to the faculty.
Word
Significado
Idiom match.
Correct idiom order.
Pontuação: /5
Summary
Memory is the bridge between our past experiences and our present identity.
- Memory is the faculty of the mind to store information.
- It can be countable (a specific event) or uncountable (the ability).
- Common idioms include 'jog your memory' and 'memory lane'.
- Always use 'memorize' as the verb form.
Memory Palace
Use a mental map to store words.
Native Usage
Use 'jog my memory' instead of 'help me remember'.
Memorials
Public monuments are often called memorials.
Countable vs Uncountable
Faculty = uncountable, event = countable.
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