anniversary

[an-uh-vur-suh-ree]

noun

plural

anniversaries 

1. the yearly recurrence of the date of a past event.

   the tenth anniversary of their marriage.

2. the celebration or commemoration of such a date.

3. wedding anniversary.

adjective

1. returning or recurring each year; annual.

2. pertaining to an anniversary: anniv.

   an anniversary gift.

anniversary

/ ˌænɪˈvɜːsərɪ /

noun

1. the date on which an event occurred in some previous year

   a wedding anniversary

2. the celebration of this

adjective

1. of or relating to an anniversary

2. recurring every year, esp on the same date

Word History and Origins

Origin of anniversary¹

1200–50; Middle English anniversarie (< Anglo-French ) < Medieval Latin ( diēs ) anniversāria anniversary (day), Latin anniversārius recurring yearly, equivalent to anni- (combining form of annus year) + vers ( us ) turned, past participle of vertere ( vert- turn + -tus past participle suffix) + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of anniversary¹

C13: from Latin anniversārius returning every year, from annus year + vertere to turn

Example Sentences

‘Walt Disney — A Magical Life’ debuted as part of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary.

From Los Angeles Times

Sir Keir had urged students not to join pro-Palestinian protests on the anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel on Tuesday, warning of "rising antisemitism on our streets".

From BBC

On Tuesday, “Red Alert” debuted on the company’s streaming service, Paramount+, marking the second anniversary of the Oct.

From Los Angeles Times

He would occasionally break out Jack’s Mannequin songs on tour, but he would not genuinely revisit the project until “Everything In Transit” had its 10th anniversary in 2015.

From Los Angeles Times

However, roses on my birthday, coinciding with the anniversary of our infamous sailing date, and our exchanges of “I love you,” did endear him to me.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ceremony 
• commemoration 
• festival 
• holiday 
• jubilee