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Anniversary Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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anniversary

[หŒanษชหˆvษ™หs(ษ™)ri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

celebration

The anniversary is a special day that commemorates a past event or occasion, such as a wedding, the founding of an organization, or a significant milestone.

Synonyms

celebration, commemoration, observance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
anniversary

A specific date on which an event took place in a previous year, commonly used for personal or formal events like weddings or company founding dates.

  • Our wedding anniversary is next week
  • The company is celebrating its 10th anniversary
commemoration

An event or ceremony to remember and honor significant past events or people, typically with a more formal or serious tone.

  • The annual commemoration of the war heroes
  • A statue was unveiled in commemoration of the founder's contributions
celebration

A joyful or festive event to mark a special occasion, generally used for happy events involving multiple people.

  • We had a great celebration for her birthday
  • The city held a celebration to honor the local sports team
observance

Following traditional or standard practices to mark special occasions or events, often associated with religious or ceremonial activities.

  • The observance of Independence Day includes a parade
  • He participated in the observance of religious customs during the festival

Examples of usage

  • They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a romantic dinner.
  • The company marked its 50th anniversary with a grand party.
Context #2 | Noun

relationship

An anniversary is also used to refer to the yearly recurrence of the date of a past event, especially of a wedding or other significant relationship milestone.

Synonyms

celebration, commemoration, milestone.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
anniversary

Used for marking the date when an event took place in a previous year, often related to personal or important historical events.

  • They celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary with a special dinner.
  • Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the company's founding.
commemoration

Used for remembering and honoring a significant event or person, often with a formal or solemn tone.

  • The city held a commemoration for the soldiers who lost their lives in the war.
  • The commemoration service was attended by many dignitaries.
milestone

Used for highlighting significant points of progress or development in various contexts like personal achievements, business, or history.

  • Completing the marathon was a major milestone in his running career.
  • Reaching their 100th location was a milestone for the fast-food chain.
celebration

Used for any joyful gathering or event to mark a special occasion or accomplishment.

  • There was a grand celebration for her graduation from university.
  • The town held a celebration for the New Year's Eve.

Examples of usage

  • They are celebrating their first anniversary as a couple.
  • The company is commemorating its anniversary of partnership with the charity.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

  • Many cultures celebrate marriage anniversaries with gifts, such as paper for the first year and diamond for the 60th.
  • Some societies have unique customs, like sending a postcard to the couple marking their special day.

Psychology

  • Celebrating anniversaries helps reinforce positive memories, strengthening relationships over time.
  • Rituals associated with anniversaries, such as reaffirming vows, foster connection and emotional bonding.

Historical Events

  • Anniversaries are often marked for significant historical events, like the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th.
  • Commemorating anniversaries of major events, such as WWII or civil rights milestones, serves to remind us of lessons learned.

Literature

  • Literary works often explore themes around anniversaries, highlighting reflections on time passing and personal growth.
  • Poets and authors may use anniversaries as metaphors for life's cycles and the importance of remembering the past.

Origin of 'anniversary'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'anniversarius', meaning 'of a year' or 'returning yearly'.
  • It combines 'annus' (year) and 'versus' (to turn), signifying something that returns each year.

The word 'anniversary' originated from the Latin word 'anniversarius,' which means 'returning yearly.' The concept of celebrating anniversaries dates back to ancient Rome, where they celebrated the anniversaries of important events and ceremonies. Over time, the tradition of marking anniversaries spread to various cultures and became a common practice to commemorate special occasions and relationships.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,171 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.