PURPOSE: To obtain a thermosensitive recording element whose coated film is improved in water-resisting quality by using a specified water-soluble polyvinyl amido derivative as an anti-hydration agent.

CONSTITUTION: A thermosensitive recording element is obtained by putting a phenolic compound, a white or light-colored color-developing material which reacts on the above compound by heating and a water-soluble binder in the content. In this case, as an antihydration agent is used a linear polyvinyl amido derivative of about 100W1,000 degrees of polymerization which has structural units expressed by formula I, formula II, formula III and formula IV (where R1, R2 and R6 are H, CH3; R3 and R4 are alkyl C1W3, Z is alkylene C2W6; M is H, alkali metal, etc., R5 is H, COOM; X is Cl, etc. and Y is anion) in this order in a specified ratio of mol. Damages to properties of the thermosensitive recording element, such as, for instance, discoloration and production of harmful formalin, are thus eliminated.