Remember vs. Memorize — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 18, 2024
"Remember" involves recalling past information without deliberate effort, while "memorize" requires intentional repetition to retain details.
Difference Between Remember and Memorize
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Key Differences
"Remember" generally refers to the ability to recall experiences, information, or facts that have previously entered the mind, often without deliberate effort. Whereas "memorize" implies a systematic process of committing information to memory through repetition or continuous review.
People often "remember" things spontaneously, which can involve episodic or semantic memory of personal experiences or general knowledge. On the other hand, "memorize" typically involves a more focused and active effort, such as learning lines for a play or the elements of the periodic table.
The act of remembering can be triggered by cues or contexts that bring memories to the surface. Conversely, memorize often requires the use of specific techniques or strategies, like mnemonic devices, to enhance the retention of information.
"Remember" can be a more passive process, where memories surface without conscious thought. In contrast, to memorize something usually demands active engagement and mental labor to encode the information securely.
Emotional connections often aid in the ability to "remember" information more vividly and for longer periods. While memorizing can be more mechanical and might not necessarily involve an emotional aspect unless deliberately linked.
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Comparison Chart
Effort
Passive, often effortless
Active, requires deliberate effort
Techniques
None specifically required
Use of repetition, mnemonic devices, etc.
Type of Memory
Episodic, semantic
Often semantic, sometimes procedural
Emotional Connection
Often present
Rarely primary unless intentionally created
Purpose
Recalling past experiences, general knowledge
Retaining specific information for long-term recall
Compare with Definitions
Remember
To bring a past experience or fact back into one's mind.
I remember the first time I rode a bike.
Memorize
To learn something thoroughly by heart.
She memorized all the capital cities in Europe.
Remember
To commemorate or honor.
We gather here to remember those who lost their lives.
Memorize
To commit information to memory for easy retrieval.
He had to memorize his lines for the school play.
Remember
To keep someone or something in mind for future reference.
Remember to buy milk on your way home.
Memorize
To store data in one's mind through repetition.
I memorized the entire poem in two days.
Remember
To think of someone with a greeting.
Please remember me to your mother.
Memorize
To imprint facts or details firmly in memory.
He memorized the route after driving it only once.
Remember
To have a memory return.
It took me a moment to remember her name.
Memorize
To retain information in memory with exactitude.
You must memorize these formulas for the math test.
Remember
To recall to the mind with effort; think of again
I finally remembered the address.
Memorize
Commit to memory; learn by heart
He memorized thousands of verses
Remember
To have (something) arise in one's memory; become aware of (something) suddenly or spontaneously
Then I remembered that today is your birthday.
Memorize
To commit to memory; learn by heart.
Remember
To retain in the memory
Remember your appointment.
Memorize
To fully learn so as to have entirely available to the memory; to learn by heart, commit to memory.
Remember
To keep (someone) in mind as worthy of consideration or recognition.
Memorize
To cause to be remembered ; hence, to record.
They neglect to memorize their conquest.
They meant to . . . memorize another Golgotha.
Remember
To reward with a gift or tip
Remembered his niece in his will.
Memorize
To commit to memory; to learn by heart.
Remember
To give greetings from
Remember me to your family.
Memorize
Commit to memory; learn by heart;
Have you memorized your lines for the play yet?
Remember
(Engineering) To return to (an original shape or form) after being deformed or altered. Used especially of certain materials.
Remember
(Archaic) To remind.
Remember
To have or use the power of memory.
Remember
To recall something; have a recollection.
Remember
To recall from one's memory; to have an image in one's memory.
Remember
To memorize; to put something into memory.
Please remember this formula!
Remember
To keep in mind, be mindful of
Remember what I've said.
Remember
To not forget (to do something required)
Remember to lock the door when you go out.
Remember
To convey greetings from.
Please remember me to your brother.
She asks to be remembered to you all.
Remember
(obsolete) To put in mind; to remind (also used reflexively)
Remember
(intransitive) To engage in the process of recalling memories.
You don't have to remind him; he remembers very well.
Remember
(transitive) To give (a person) money as a token of appreciation of past service or friendship.
My aunt remembered me in her will, leaving me several thousand pounds.
Remember
(transitive) to commemorate, to have a remembrance ceremony
Today we remember and honour those who have served.
Remember
(rare) re-member
Remember
To have (a notion or idea) come into the mind again, as previously perceived, known, or felt; to have a renewed apprehension of; to bring to mind again; to think of again; to recollect; as, I remember the fact; he remembers the events of his childhood; I cannot remember dates.
We are said to remember anything, when the idea of it arises in the mind with the consciousness that we have had this idea before.
Remember
To be capable of recalling when required; to keep in mind; to be continually aware or thoughtful of; to preserve fresh in the memory; to attend to; to think of with gratitude, affection, respect, or any other emotion.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
That they may have their wages duly paid 'em,And something over to remember me by.
Remember what I warn thee; shun to taste.
Remember
To put in mind; to remind; - also used reflexively and impersonally.
My friends remembered me of home.
Remember you of passed heaviness.
And well thou wost [knowest] if it remember thee.
Remember
To mention.
Remember
To recall to the mind of another, as in the friendly messages, remember me to him, he wishes to be remembered to you, etc.
Remember
To execise or have the power of memory; as, some remember better than others.
Remember
Recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection;
I can't remember saying any such thing
I can't think what her last name was
Can you remember her phone number?
Do you remember that he once loved you?
Call up memories
Remember
Keep in mind for attention or consideration;
Remember the Alamo
Remember to call your mother every day!
Think of the starving children in India!
Remember
Recapture the past; indulge in memories;
He remembered how he used to pick flowers
Remember
Show appreciation to;
He remembered her in his will
Remember
Mention favourably, as in prayer;
Remember me in your prayers
Remember
Mention as by way of greeting or to indicate friendship;
Remember me to your wife
Remember
Exercise, or have the power of, memory;
After the shelling, many people lost the ability to remember
Some remember better than others
Remember
Call to remembrance; keep alive the memory of someone or something, as in a ceremony;
We remembered the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz
Remember the dead of the First World War
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between remember and memorize?
Remembering is a passive process of recalling past information, whereas memorizing is an active effort to learn something by heart.
Do you always need to use techniques to memorize something?
While not always necessary, using techniques like mnemonics can greatly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of memorizing.
How can emotions affect remembering and memorizing?
Emotions can significantly enhance the ability to remember, making the memories more vivid and long-lasting, whereas their role in memorizing is less direct unless linked through techniques.
Can you remember something you never memorized?
Yes, you can remember information or experiences without intentionally memorizing them, especially if they are impactful or repeated naturally over time.
Is it easier to remember or memorize facts?
It generally depends on the individual and the context; memorizing can be more challenging as it requires active effort and technique.
How do age and cognitive development affect the ability to remember and memorize?
Both remembering and memorizing abilities can decline with age; however, children and young adults usually have a higher capacity for memorization due to more plastic cognitive systems.
What role do context cues play in remembering versus memorizing?
Context cues greatly enhance the ability to remember by triggering spontaneous recall, whereas memorizing often relies less on context and more on repetition or structured learning.
How do stress and anxiety affect the ability to remember and to memorize?
Stress and anxiety can impair both remembering and memorizing by disrupting focus and cognitive processes, but strategic memorizing under low stress can mitigate some negative impacts.
What types of memory are involved in remembering and memorizing?
Remembering typically involves episodic (personal experiences) and semantic (facts and general knowledge) memory, while memorizing often targets semantic memory and can involve procedural memory if it relates to tasks.
Can remembering ever become as deliberate as memorizing?
Remembering can sometimes be deliberate, such as when trying to recall a specific fact from memory for a test, but it is generally more spontaneous than memorizing.
Which is more effective for long-term retention, remembering or memorizing?
For long-term retention, effective memorizing strategies tend to be more reliable because they are designed to reinforce memory over time, though emotionally charged memories remembered can also be long-lasting.
How do cultural differences influence the practices of remembering and memorizing?
Cultural practices and educational systems can influence how and what we prioritize in remembering versus memorizing, with some cultures placing higher emphasis on rote memorization and others on conceptual understanding.
Is it possible to improve one’s ability to remember or memorize?
Yes, both abilities can be improved with practices like mindfulness for remembering and techniques like spaced repetition and active recall for memorizing.
Are there any tools or technologies specifically designed to aid memorizing?
Yes, there are various tools and apps designed to aid memorizing, such as spaced repetition software, flashcards, and mnemonic generators.
How does sleep impact remembering and memorizing?
Sleep plays a critical role in both remembering and memorizing; it helps consolidate memories, making them stronger and more accessible.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
