Vocabulary 12.2: Describing memories
1. BRING BACK
bring back (ph. v.) – to make someone think about something from the past. The smell of apples baking brings back memories of my mother making apple pie.
2. CHILDHOOD
childhood (n.) – the part of your life when you are a child. I spent a lot of my childhood with my cousins in Korea. They lived nearby, and we often played together in the park.
3. CLEAR
clear (adj.) – (of a memory) easily remembered. I have a clear memory of going to the fair as a child and having my face painted. I remember that the paint felt strange on my face and that the woman made me laugh.
4. DISTANT
distant (adj.) – far away in the past. I have a distant memory of running through a field with my sister and brother, and we were pushing my brother in a wheelbarrow. I don’t remember a lot of the details. It was a long time ago.
5. EARLY
early (adj.) – (of a memory) from when you were a young child. I have an early memory of walking with my mother in our old town in Japan. I must have been three or four years old. I don’t remember much about that town.
6. LONG-TERM MEMORY
long-term memory (n.) – remembering information over a long period of time
Our long-term memory is not very reliable. My sister and I often remember the same events from our childhood differently. I remember us flying a kite on the beach. She thinks we only flew kites in the park.
7. LOOK BACK ON
look back on (ph. v.) – to think about something that happened in the past. I love looking at old photos. It’s nice to look back on my past and remember when we were all so young.
8. RECALL
recall (v.) – to remember something. A: Do you remember when we were kids, we used to make capes from blankets and run around our front yard?
B: Hmm, I don’t recall that! How strange.
9. RECENT
recent (adj.) – happening or starting from a short time ago. Can you take a photo of me? I need a more recent photo for my profile. The one I have there is from five years ago.
10. RECOGNIZE
recognize (v.) – to know someone or something because you have seen or experienced them before. A: Hey, are you … Jim?
B: Yeah, I’m Jim. Do I know you?
A: It’s Ronnie, from Chicago!
B: Oh, Ronnie! Of course! I didn’t recognize you after all these years. It’s so good to see you!
11. REMIND OF
remind (someone) of (ph. v.) – to make someone think of something or someone else. This basketball court reminds me of my father. We used to come here all the time when I was a kid.
12. SHORT-TERM MEMORY
short-term memory (n.) – remembering information for a short time
A: How much is it? $16?
B: Oh, you already paid me $20. Here’s your change.
A: I did? Oh, dear. Thank you. My short-term memory isn’t very good.
13. VAGUE
vague (adj.) – not clear or certain. I have only vague memories of my elementary school. I can remember some things about the building and some of my teachers. I don’t remember much about the other kids.
14. VIVID
vivid (adj.) – (of a memory) having a strong, clear image in your mind. I have a vivid memory of feeding baby goats on my grandparents’ farm as a child. I can remember the smell of the farm and the sound of the goats sucking milk from the bottle.
Thank you!
Vocabulary 12.2: Describing memories
Alma N. Rivera Betan
Created on March 21, 2025
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Transcript
Vocabulary 12.2: Describing memories
1. BRING BACK
bring back (ph. v.) – to make someone think about something from the past. The smell of apples baking brings back memories of my mother making apple pie.
2. CHILDHOOD
childhood (n.) – the part of your life when you are a child. I spent a lot of my childhood with my cousins in Korea. They lived nearby, and we often played together in the park.
3. CLEAR
clear (adj.) – (of a memory) easily remembered. I have a clear memory of going to the fair as a child and having my face painted. I remember that the paint felt strange on my face and that the woman made me laugh.
4. DISTANT
distant (adj.) – far away in the past. I have a distant memory of running through a field with my sister and brother, and we were pushing my brother in a wheelbarrow. I don’t remember a lot of the details. It was a long time ago.
5. EARLY
early (adj.) – (of a memory) from when you were a young child. I have an early memory of walking with my mother in our old town in Japan. I must have been three or four years old. I don’t remember much about that town.
6. LONG-TERM MEMORY
long-term memory (n.) – remembering information over a long period of time Our long-term memory is not very reliable. My sister and I often remember the same events from our childhood differently. I remember us flying a kite on the beach. She thinks we only flew kites in the park.
7. LOOK BACK ON
look back on (ph. v.) – to think about something that happened in the past. I love looking at old photos. It’s nice to look back on my past and remember when we were all so young.
8. RECALL
recall (v.) – to remember something. A: Do you remember when we were kids, we used to make capes from blankets and run around our front yard? B: Hmm, I don’t recall that! How strange.
9. RECENT
recent (adj.) – happening or starting from a short time ago. Can you take a photo of me? I need a more recent photo for my profile. The one I have there is from five years ago.
10. RECOGNIZE
recognize (v.) – to know someone or something because you have seen or experienced them before. A: Hey, are you … Jim? B: Yeah, I’m Jim. Do I know you? A: It’s Ronnie, from Chicago! B: Oh, Ronnie! Of course! I didn’t recognize you after all these years. It’s so good to see you!
11. REMIND OF
remind (someone) of (ph. v.) – to make someone think of something or someone else. This basketball court reminds me of my father. We used to come here all the time when I was a kid.
12. SHORT-TERM MEMORY
short-term memory (n.) – remembering information for a short time A: How much is it? $16? B: Oh, you already paid me $20. Here’s your change. A: I did? Oh, dear. Thank you. My short-term memory isn’t very good.
13. VAGUE
vague (adj.) – not clear or certain. I have only vague memories of my elementary school. I can remember some things about the building and some of my teachers. I don’t remember much about the other kids.
14. VIVID
vivid (adj.) – (of a memory) having a strong, clear image in your mind. I have a vivid memory of feeding baby goats on my grandparents’ farm as a child. I can remember the smell of the farm and the sound of the goats sucking milk from the bottle.
Thank you!