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

Banks was born in Charlottesville and lived in Rixeyville, according to her obituary. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026

That, according to an obituary posted by Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 21 July 2026

The victims’ family asked for privacy, but shared a touching tribute to the beloved couple in their obituary. — Susan Young, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died on July 12, died as the man most obituaries call the architect of modern Qatar. — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 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