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

Rachel, who attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee worked in human resources, according to her obituary. —Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025

Williams recently celebrated 15 years with Vanderbilt University Medical Center and had a 31-year nursing career, according to his obituary. —Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Nov. 2025

Welch was a husband, soon-to-be father, a Grand Blanc middle school football coach and a plant manager at Trims Unlimited, according to his obituary. —Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 12 Nov. 2025

The obituary for print media has been written and rewritten. —Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 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

Rhymes for obituary

• accretionary
• apothecary
• bicentenary
• certiorari
• concessionary
• concretionary
• confectionary
• confectionery
• constabulary
• contemporary
• deflationary
• depositary

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