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

According to an obituary, Kupec left behind a wife and numerous other family members. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2026

Packwood's death on Saturday was announced in an obituary sent to media outlets by his family. —ABC News, 7 June 2026

Packwood’s death Saturday was announced in an obituary sent to media outlets by his family. —Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

Michelle Eynon died unexpectedly at University Hospitals in Cleveland on May 28, according to her online obituary. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 June 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