Memorability, defined as the likelihood a stimulus will be remembered, is typically studied in words and images. Although investigated and operationalized differently, both word and image memorability are influenced by semantic and affective information, raising the idea that both modalities might rely on similar processes. Therefore, the current study investigates the relationship between word and image memorability, using three sub-questions investigating whether words or images are more memorable, to what extend words and images are linearly related, and whether image memorability can be explained using word-based features. 

To investigate this, word and image memorability scores and arousal, size, and animacy values were derived from existing databases. In contrast to the hypotheses and previous research, words were more memorable than images, no relationship was found between word and image memorability, and solely animacy weakly explained word memorability. 

However, image memorability was explained by size, animacy, and arousal. The current study highlights the potential relationship between word and image memorability, which is likely grounded in the neurocognitive mechanisms contributing to attention, processing, and memory. Understanding this relationship, which features influence memorability, and the neurocognitive mechanisms associated to these outcomes could provide tools to optimize memorability for fields such as public safety, where effectively conveying key messages is important.