obituary
oh-BICH-oo-air-ee
/oʊˈbɪtʃuɛri/
A published notice of a person's death, often including a brief biography and details of funeral arrangements.
Focuses on facts, life history, and practical details, typically published in newspapers or online news outlets.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'obitus', meaning 'departure, downfall, or death', from the verb 'obire' (to go down or go to meet one's fate). It entered English in the 18th century as a record of deceased persons.
Word relationships
- death notice: A death notice is shorter and typically written by family for announcement purposes, whereas an obituary often includes a fuller biographical account.
- biography: A full account of a living or dead person's life, not restricted to a death announcement.
Commonly confused with
- eulogy: An obituary is a written news article or notice; a eulogy is a spoken speech of praise.
Word family
- obituarist (noun): A journalist who specializes in writing obituaries.
Collocations
- publish an obituary
- read an obituary
- newspaper obituary
- write an obituary
Example sentences
- "I read his obituary in yesterday's paper and was amazed by his adventurous life." Newspaper reading
- "Major news organizations keep advance obituaries on file for prominent public figures." Journalism
Memory hook
OBIT (death) + UARY. A written story about someone's final exit. The final summary of a life in print.
When not to use
Do not confuse with a eulogy, which is a spoken tribute delivered at a service.
Fun facts
- The New York Times has a world-renowned obituary desk that drafts profiles of famous people years before they actually die.
Related words
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