Obituary: meaning, definitions and examples

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obituary

 

[ əˈbɪtʃuˌɛri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

newspaper

A notice of a death, especially in a newspaper, typically including a brief biography of the deceased.

Synonyms

death notice, eulogy, memorial.

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Word Description / Examples
obituary

An obituary is a formal article written in a newspaper or online publication that announces the death of a person. It usually includes details about their life, family, and funeral arrangements.

  • The family wrote a heartfelt obituary that was published in the Sunday paper.
  • She read the obituary section every morning to stay informed about the community's losses.
death notice

A death notice is a brief public announcement about someone's death. It typically includes basic information such as the name of the deceased, dates of birth and death, and details about the funeral services.

  • The death notice mentioned the time and location of the memorial service.
  • They placed a death notice in the local newspaper to inform friends and extended family.
memorial

A memorial can refer to any event or structure intended to remember and honor a deceased person or group. It can be a service, monument, or other tribute to keep their memory alive.

  • They held a memorial to celebrate her life and legacy.
  • The town built a memorial to honor the soldiers who had fallen in the war.
eulogy

A eulogy is a speech or writing in praise of a deceased person, usually delivered at their funeral or memorial service. It highlights the person's life achievements, personality, and impact on others.

  • Her brother delivered a touching eulogy that brought many to tears.
  • The eulogy focused on his contributions to the community and his loving nature.

Examples of usage

  • She read her grandfather's obituary in the local paper.
  • The obituary section of the newspaper is always well-read.

Translations

Translations of the word "obituary" in other languages:

🇵🇹 necrológio

🇮🇳 शोक-सूचना

🇩🇪 Nachruf

🇮🇩 obituari

🇺🇦 некролог

🇵🇱 nekrolog

🇯🇵 死亡記事

🇫🇷 nécrologie

🇪🇸 necrológica

🇹🇷 ölüm ilanı

🇰🇷 부고

🇸🇦 نعي

🇨🇿 nekrolog

🇸🇰 nekrológ

🇨🇳 讣告

🇸🇮 osmrtnica

🇮🇸 dánartilkynning

🇰🇿 қаза туралы хабарлама

🇬🇪 ნეკროლოგი

🇦🇿 nekroloq

🇲🇽 necrológica

Etymology

The word 'obituary' originated from the Latin word 'obituarius', meaning 'pertaining to death'. The use of obituaries dates back to ancient Rome, where they were inscriptions on grave monuments. Over time, the practice evolved to include written notices in newspapers to inform the public of someone's death and commemorate their life.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,791, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.