obituary

noun

obit·​u·​ary ə-ˈbi-chə-ˌwer-ē  ō- 

-ˈbi-chə-rē

plural obituaries

: a notice of a person's death usually with a short biographical account

obituarist

ə-ˈbi-chə-ˌwər-ist

ō- 

-ˈbi-chə-rist

noun

obituary adjective

Synonyms

• necrology
• obit

Examples of obituary in a Sentence

I read her obituary in the newspaper.

several obituaries for Herman Melville portrayed him as an obscure, largely forgotten author

Recent Examples on the Web

Committal with military honors will follow at Forestville Cemetery, according to the obituary. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 21 Jan. 2025

According to his obituary, Schiff was a third-generation farmer who had a dairy farm, and later raised cattle and crops. —Rachel Desantis, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025

In accordance with her wishes, there was no funeral or obituary. —Sheila McClear, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugenia Rodríguez Flores and Antonio Jiménez Rodríguez, according to his obituary. —Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin obituārium, noun derivative of Medieval Latin obituārius "of death, recording records or dates of death," from Latin obitu-, stem of obitus "death" + -ārius -ary entry 2 — more at obit

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

obituary

noun

obit·​u·​ary ə-ˈbich-ə-ˌwer-ē 

plural obituaries

: a notice of a person's death (as in a newspaper)

obituary adjective