undertaker
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of undertaker
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at undertake, -er 1
Explanation
An undertaker is someone who prepares a body for burial or cremation. When a loved one dies, you'll have to visit an undertaker. An undertaker doesn't literally "take you under" after you die, but he or she does prepare your body for burial or cremation and assists a family with all aspects of funeral arrangements. If someone in your family dies, an undertaker can help you decide between burial and cremation. An undertaker can help plan a wake and the details of the funeral service. Undertakers help you select a coffin or urn. Of course, you will be making those choices for someone else — not for yourself.
Vocabulary lists containing undertaker
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
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The Stranger
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Bronx Masquerade
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The night also saw the brief return of The Undertaker at the end of the Women's World Championship match between Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley.
From BBC • Jan. 7, 2025
His interviews with music heavyweights have, for him, been matched by conversations with WWE icons such as The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Undertaker.
From BBC • Jan. 19, 2024
For years, The Undertaker stalked WWE rings as an ominous, supernatural presence who used very few words.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2023
Adesanya did a ring walkout designed as an homage to The Undertaker, complete with purple smoke and the pro wrestler’s trademark music and hat while carrying an urn with Cannonier’s name on it.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 3, 2022
At the center is a Senior Undertaker whose cloak has a high silver collar.
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
