Definition

Adjective: 1. Tending to remind one of something; evocative of something else: Serving to bring a past event, feeling, or memory to mind. 2. Characterized by or given to reminiscence: Thinking or talking about past experiences.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective (Evocative):
  • The scent of pine was reminiscent of childhood Christmases.
  • His painting style is strongly reminiscent of Picasso's early work.
  • The old, cobbled street was reminiscent of a bygone era.
• Adjective (Given to reminiscence):
  • In his later years, he became more reminiscent, often telling stories of his youth.
  • She grew reminiscent as she looked through the old photo album.

Advanced Usage

• "to be reminiscent of": This is the most common construction. It is used to state what a person, thing, or situation reminds you of.
  • The architecture of the building is reminiscent of ancient Roman designs.
  • Her voice is strangely reminiscent of her mother's.

Variants and Related Words

• Reminiscence (n): The act or process of recalling past experiences; a memory or story told about the past.
  • He wrote a book of his reminiscences from the war.
• Reminisce (v): To think or talk about pleasant past experiences.
  • The old friends sat and reminisced about their school days.

Synonyms

• Evocative: Bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind.
• Suggestive: Tending to suggest an idea.
• Redolent (formal/literary): Strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something.
• Recollective: Pertaining to memory or recollection.

Antonyms

• Unforgettable: Impossible to forget.
• Forgettable: Easily forgotten, not memorable.
• Unreminiscent: Not evocative of memories (rarely used).

Adjective

1. serving to bring to mind
   • cannot forbear to close on this redolent literary note- Wilder Hobson
   • a campaign redolent of machine politics