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

Vasquez worked several law enforcement and security jobs, including as a detention officer for the Kansas City police, before becoming an NKC officer in July 2021 after graduating from the Regional Police Academy, according to his obituary. —Pj Green october 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025

According to an obituary published by GoLocalProv, Joan died peacefully in her Boston home. —Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025

Weaver left behind his parents, four sisters, and many other family members and friends, according to his obituary. —Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Oct. 2025

Her mother, Judith Bartell, was volunteer captain of the Palo Cedro Fire Hall, according to her 2019 obituary. —Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 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