Definition

1. Noun:
   • A notice of someone's death; an obituary: A published announcement, typically in a newspaper or online, informing the public of a person's death. It usually includes a brief summary of the person's life and information about funeral services.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • I read his obit in the local paper this morning.
  • The obit was short but moving, highlighting her charitable work.
  • She wrote a beautiful obit for her late grandfather.

Advanced Usage

• "Obit writer": A journalist who specializes in writing obituaries.

  • He worked for years as an obit writer for a major metropolitan newspaper.

• "Pre-written obit": An obituary prepared in advance for a famous or elderly person, to be published immediately upon their death.

  • News organizations often keep pre-written obits for world leaders.

Variants and Related Words

• Obituary (n): The more common and formal term for a death notice with a biography. "Obit" is a clipped form of this word.

  • The full obituary was published in the Sunday edition.

• Necrology (n): A list or register of people who have died, especially in a particular period or place; sometimes used synonymously with obituary.

  • The church published a necrology of its deceased members.

Synonyms

• Death notice: A brief announcement of a death, sometimes without a detailed biography.
• Necrology: (See above).

Notes on Meaning

• Historical/Archaic Meaning: In older or specialized religious contexts (e.g., medieval Latin), "obit" could refer to a memorial service or the anniversary of a death. However, in modern English, its primary meaning is synonymous with "obituary."
  • The foundation holds an annual mass on the founder's obit. (This usage is now rare.)

Noun

1. a notice of someone's death; usually includes a short biography