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

Emily must have read the glowing obituary in the Leeds Times. —Literary Hub, 12 May 2026

According to their obituaries, Tobias and Da'Liyla died on the day of the fire; Amirah died on April 3. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026

Taylor's obituary remembered him as a loving father and friend who loved his dog, fishing, and riding bikes and four-wheelers. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 12 May 2026

In a telling sample of his quotes collected for his obituary in The New York Times, Reed could be both worshipful and scathing. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 May 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