anniversary

[ an-uh-vur-suh-ree ]

noun

, plural an·ni·ver·sa·ries.

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

In June, around the anniversary of my bike crash, I returned to the route I was on when I took a tumble.

From BBC

"We had a couple who were coming here for their first wedding anniversary, you could see the excitement in their eyes."

From BBC

The new "ultimate mix" will premiere on British radio stations on the morning of 25 November, the 40th anniversary of the original song being recorded.

From BBC

"We shared holidays, anniversaries, Christmases... All of that, for me, was happiness," Ms Pelicot has said.

From BBC

Bringing the energy level to its peak, the unexpected duo brought the “once in a lifetime” feeling to the 25th anniversary.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ceremony
• commemoration
• festival
• holiday
• jubilee