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

Eskridge, 34, co-founded the Institute for Exotic Science in Huntsville, Alabama, according to her obituary. —Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026

In addition to being a father, Cullen was engaged to be married, according to his obituary. —Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026

Other notable developments during his tenure were the Arlington Highlands shopping center, the Viridian master planned community and the rebirth of Downtown, according to the city's obituary. —Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026

In an obituary, Anna Kepner was remembered as a bubbly high school senior who dreamed of continuing cheerleading at the University of Georgia. —Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 13 Apr. 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