What does obit mean?
An obit is a concise notice or article reporting the death of a person. It is especially common in online publishing, where a short announcement may include the person's age, occupation, cause of death, information about survivors, and details of memorial arrangements. The word is a shortened form of “obituary,” and it generally suggests a more compact piece than the fuller article traditionally associated with that term. Although its digital association makes it sound contemporary, the expression has a long literary and journalistic history, and similar notices have long appeared in newspapers and other publications. An obit can serve as a practical announcement, a concise biography, or a record of a person's death. Its brevity carries a restrained, matter-of-fact tone, though the content may also commemorate the person's life and influence. In modern usage, the term is familiar, direct, and slightly informal.
nounA notice or article reporting the death of a person, especially a shortened version of an obituary. The term is often used for notices published online or in brief newspaper items.
- A notice or article reporting someone's death, especially a concise version of an obituary.
"The family released a short obit after the funeral."
"The newspaper published a brief obit for the renowned composer."
"I found the obit online and shared it with friends who had known her."
The standard plural of the noun is “obits.”
"Several obits appeared online after the announcement."
From the Latin word for death to the modern internet's briefest farewell: an obit announces a life in compressed form.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of obit
“Obit” is an English shortening of “obituary,” a word that entered English through Medieval Latin from Latin obituarius, meaning “of or relating to death.” The Latin root is obitus, meaning “death,” derived from obire, “to die” or “to go to meet.” Related English forms include “obituary,” “obituaries,” and the more specialized “obituarist.”
Related word forms
How obit is actually used
Informal and commonly associated with online publishing, though the word is also used in newspapers and other conventional publications. It is generally more concise and less detailed than the full term “obituary.”
Easily confused with obit
An obit is a shortened or informal version of an obituary, while an obituary is the full article or notice commemorating a person's life.