obituary

[oh-bich-oo-er-ee]

noun

plural

obituaries 

1. a notice of the death of a person, often with a biographical sketch, as in a newspaper.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or recording a death or deaths.

   the obituary page of a newspaper.

obituary

/ əˈbɪtjʊərɪ /

noun

1. a published announcement of a death, often accompanied by a short biography of the dead person

Other Word Forms

• obituarist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of obituary¹

1700–10; < Medieval Latin obituārius, equivalent to Latin obitu ( s ) death ( obit ) + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of obituary¹

C18: from Medieval Latin obituārius, from Latin obīre to fall, from ob- down + īre to go

Example Sentences

The Hollywood stuntman and actor died on 12 August at a care home in the US state of Missouri, according to an online obituary.

From BBC

Ziskie died July 21 in New York, his family announced in an obituary for the actor published on Legacy.com.

From Los Angeles Times

Jeff was notably omitted from the obituary and not invited to the funeral.

From Los Angeles Times

The state auditor’s latest report read like an obituary for Cal/OSHA’s credibility: outdated rules, missed chances, offices too empty to answer the phone.

From Los Angeles Times

An obituary for Gloss published in November 2024 said he was "killed in Eastern Europe" on 4 April that year.

From BBC

Related Words

• eulogy 
• obit