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

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

Before receiving the Freedom of Derbyshire, Mr Keir returned to Normandy in June last year with other veterans to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

From BBC

Mr Stewart, whose shop has just celebrated its 50th anniversary, said CDs still represented the biggest chunk of his sales.

From BBC

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged students not to join pro-Palestinian protests on Tuesday, the second anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel, warning of "rising antisemitism on our streets".

From BBC

The surviving members of progressive rock titans Rush will reunite for a 50th anniversary tour in 2026.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ceremony 
• commemoration 
• festival 
• holiday 
• jubilee