What does reminding mean?
Reminding describes an act or influence that causes someone to remember, reconsider, or become newly aware of something. It is the present participle of the common verb “remind” and is especially frequent in constructions such as “reminding someone of a forgotten obligation” or “a scene that is reminding us of the past.” The word often carries a gentle or tactful connotation, especially when the reminder is indirect: a familiar song, an old photograph, or a pointed comment may be described as reminding rather than openly corrective. As an adjective, “reminding” can modify a person, object, or event that serves this purpose. Its usefulness lies in its association with memory and attention: it can describe both a deliberate act of prompting someone and the accidental effect of a resemblance, sensation, or piece of news. It should not be confused with “remaining,” which concerns continuation or what is left.
Causing or serving to cause someone to remember or reconsider something.
"The abandoned umbrella was a reminding reminder of how quickly the weather had changed."
Commonly used attributively, as in “a reminding story” or “a reminding presence.”
The present participle of remind, used to describe an act of prompting someone's memory or attention.
"She called to ask about the appointment, reminding me that I had not confirmed the time."
This form normally appears in progressive or participial constructions, especially with the pattern “remind someone of something.”
A reminder may be forgotten, but a reminding moment can bring an entire memory back in an instant.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reminding come from?
Reminding is the present participle of “remind,” formed in English in the early 17th century from the prefix “re-” and “mind.” “Mind” in this sense derives from the Old English “gemyndan,” meaning to think of or remember, and is cognate with words including “mental” and “memento” that continue the same Indo-European root associated with thought and memory.
Related word forms
How reminding is actually used
Reminding is most often used as a participle, especially in the construction “remind someone of something,” or as an attributive modifier before a noun. It is less common as an independent noun and is generally more idiomatic in British and US English than the less standard noun use.
Easily confused with reminding
Reminding means prompting someone to remember or reconsider something, whereas remaining means continuing to exist or stay in the same state.