Quick answer
Memorandum means a written note, record, or formal internal message. It is usually pronounced mem-uh-RAN-dum, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Memorandum
Memorandum means a written note, record, or formal internal message. It belongs to bureaucratic and academic absurdities and works best in satire, office complaints, and writing about systems that sound puffed up or overmanaged. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
bureaucraticacademicjargon
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, memorandum refers to a written note, record, or formal internal message. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
Memorandum feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Memorandum is generally traced to from Latin, meaning something to be remembered. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Memorandum is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
Example sentences
- The manager circulated a short memorandum before the meeting.
- Legal teams often attach a memorandum summarizing the issue.
- What could have been a quick note returned as a six-page memorandum.
- The archive preserves every memorandum sent during the merger.
When should you use this word?
Use memorandum when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in satire, office complaints, and writing about systems that sound puffed up or overmanaged.
Similar words
memo, note, record, communication, brief
Opposite or contrasting words
conversation, improvisation, verbal message
Common questions
- What does memorandum mean? A written note, record, or formal internal message.
- How do you pronounce memorandum? It is commonly pronounced mem-uh-RAN-dum.
- Is memorandum still used today? Memorandum is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
- When should you use memorandum? Use memorandum when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in satire, office complaints, and writing about systems that sound puffed up or overmanaged.
- What words are similar to memorandum? Similar words include memo, note, record, and communication.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.