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

One of Owens’ simple pleasures is reading southern obituaries, which are much more elaborate than the clinical memorials published in her hometown that stick to dates and relatives. —Charlotte Observer, 10 Dec. 2025

The former New England Patriots and LSU star’s 30-year-old daughter, Tanasha Faulk, has died, according to an obituary in The Advocate. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025

Whitehurst’s obituary noted his 45 years of work at the LTV Steel Mill and his favorite sports teams. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Dec. 2025

The mother was remembered in her obituary as a fun and loving person who had an old soul. —Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 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

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