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

• 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

Josh Murray was a father to his son, Braden, and worked as a supervisor for Perini Construction, according to his obituary. —Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025

According to the obituary, the teen leaves behind her parents, two brothers, grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, as well as her best friends and her boyfriend. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 24 June 2025

According to an obituary, Inglis enjoyed football and had plans to join the Air Force. —Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025

Pond was described as a dearly loved and adored son, brother and friend, according to his obituary. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 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