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 of obituary

• obit
• epitaph
• inscription
• memorial

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

Jake was 9 days from turning 11 at the time of his death, per his obituary. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026

More from The Providence Journal Find the latest obituaries here. — Will Richmond, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026

In the June 23 Section A, the obituary for Greenspan said that he was married briefly to abstract artist Joan Mitchell. — Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Her husband, Brent Andrew Reynolds, also died at 35 just a few months before, his obituary said. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 2 July 2026

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