mortuary

1 of 2

adjective

mor·​tu·​ary ˈmȯr-chə-ˌwer-ē 

-chü-ˌer-

1

: of or relating to the burial of the dead

2

: of, relating to, or characteristic of death

mortuary

2 of 2

noun

plural mortuaries

: a place in which dead bodies are kept until burial

especially : funeral home

Synonyms of mortuary

Adjective

• deadly
• dead
• mortal
• spectral

Examples of mortuary in a Sentence

Adjective

the huge department store's mortuary atmosphere in its sad, last weeks of operation

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Though the final product is well-suited for a mortuary, Braverman points out that the overall atmosphere could fit an array of spaces. — Kelsey Mulvey, House Beautiful, 31 Oct. 2022

Nearby, Hatshepsut built a shrine to the goddess in her mortuary temple featuring four capital columns with the goddess' human face. — Lola Méndez, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2022

Noun

His body has been at a mortuary while the legal battle played out. — ABC News, 23 June 2026

Shareef added that they were found in the third chamber of the cave and that they were being brought to the mortuary in Malé, the capital of the island. — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin mortuarius of the dead, from mortuus dead

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mortuary

• askari
• astbury
• azeri
• banbury
• barberry
• blackberry
• blueberry
• canary
• cranberry
• dentary
• dewberry
• dogberry

Kids Definition

mortuary

1 of 2 noun

mor·​tu·​ary ˈmȯr-chə-ˌwer-ē 

plural mortuaries

: a place in which the bodies of the dead are kept until burial

especially : funeral home

mortuary

2 of 2 adjective

: of or relating to death or burial of the dead

Medical Definition

mortuary

1 of 2 adjective

mor·​tu·​ary ˈmȯr-chə-ˌwer-ē 

1

: of or relating to the burial of the dead

2

: of, relating to, or characteristic of death

mortuary

2 of 2 noun

plural mortuaries

: a place in which dead bodies are kept and prepared for burial or cremation