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

The Connecticut native served more than 20 years in the United States Army, including multiple combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, according to his obituary. — Anna Roman, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026

Walter Moorhead Delaware State Police An evangelical church in Georgetown, Delaware, where Soto lived, shared an obituary for her after her death. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

According to her obituary, Libby also participated in volleyball, soccer and swimming. — Jenny Porter Tilley, IndyStar, 21 Sep. 2026

According to his obituary, Grayson died just two weeks before his first birthday. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 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