epitaph

[ ep-i-taf, -tahf ]

noun

1. a commemorative inscription on a tomb or mortuary monument about the person buried at that site.
2. a brief poem or other writing in praise of a deceased person.

verb (used with object)

1. to commemorate in or with an epitaph.

epitaph

/ ˌɛpɪˈtæfɪk; -ˌtæf; ˈɛpɪˌtɑːf /

noun

1. a commemorative inscription on a tombstone or monument
2. a speech or written passage composed in commemoration of a dead person
3. a final judgment on a person or thing

Derived Forms

• epitaphic, adjective
• ˈepiˌtaphist, noun

Other Words From

• epi·taphic [ep-i-, taf, -ik], adjective
• epi·taphist noun
• epi·taphless adjective
• un·epi·taphed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of epitaph¹

1350–1400; Middle English epitaphe < Latin epitaphium < Greek epitáphion over or at a tomb, equivalent to epi- epi- + táph ( os ) tomb + -ion noun, adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of epitaph¹

C14: via Latin from Greek epitaphion, from epitaphios over a tomb, from epi- + taphos tomb

Example Sentences

The band released its charming, preternaturally accomplished debut, “Growing Up,” on the punk stalwart label Epitaph in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times

He appeared in the Oscar-winning 1961 adventure “The Guns of Navarone” and the 1960 drama “Let No Man Write My Epitaph.”

From Los Angeles Times

After the manner in which England’s campaign was conducted, it was both comedy gold and the perfect epitaph for those few weeks in France.

From BBC

“But it has only become harder and harder for this work to be done. I hope that that doesn’t become my epitaph. But I feel a little discouraged because the economics are squeezing out the art, making it harder for artists to do daring things.”

From Los Angeles Times

On the headstone marking his grave, the epitaph simply read “The Butler.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• elegy
• eulogy