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Anniversary

An anniversary is the yearly recurrence of a date marking a notable event, or the celebration of that recurrence.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

An anniversary is the yearly recurrence of a date marking a notable event, or the celebration of that recurrence. The term is also used more loosely for certain time spans after an event, such as a six-month anniversary. Common examples include wedding anniversaries and commemorations of historic events.

Meaning

Anniversary refers to a date that recurs annually after an important event, as well as the observance held on that date. Dictionaries also note broader usage for dates after an event measured in units other than years.

Usage

The most familiar uses are wedding anniversaries and the anniversary of a public or historical event. Media outlets and institutions often mark milestone anniversaries of births, deaths, founding dates, and major incidents.

Etymology

The term entered English through Middle English from Latin forms meaning 'yearly' or 'returning yearly.' Its root is connected to Latin annus, meaning 'year'.

Examples

Typical examples include a first wedding anniversary, the anniversary of a company's founding, or the anniversary of a significant historical event. In informal speech, people may also use it for periods shorter than a year.

Key facts

  • An anniversary marks the date on which an event occurred in a previous year.
  • The word can also refer to the celebration or commemoration of that date.
  • In common usage, anniversaries often relate to marriages, institutions, births, deaths, or major public events.
  • The term is sometimes used loosely for non-year periods, though the strict sense is yearly.
  • The word comes from Latin roots associated with 'year' and 'returning yearly.'
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Canadian context

Anniversaries are widely observed in Canada for national events, institutions, and holidays, and are commonly used in Canadian English for weddings, company founding dates, and historical commemorations.

Frequently asked questions

What does anniversary mean?
It is the yearly return of the date of an important event, or the celebration of that date.
What is the most common example of an anniversary?
A wedding anniversary is one of the most common examples.
Can an anniversary be shorter than a year?
In strict usage, it is yearly; however, dictionaries note that people sometimes use it more loosely for shorter periods, such as six months.
Where does the word anniversary come from?
It comes from Latin through Middle English and is related to a word meaning 'yearly'.
Is an anniversary only for happy events?
No. It can mark any notable event, including deaths, tragedies, or other historic occasions.

References

  1. Merriam-Webster —
    Supports: Definition as the annual recurrence of a date marking a notable event, and broader usage for non-year spans.
  2. Cambridge Dictionary —
    Supports: Definition as the day on which an important event happened in a previous year.
  3. Oxford Learner's Dictionaries —
    Supports: Definition as a date an exact number of years after an important event, plus etymology from Latin.
  4. Britannica Dictionary —
    Supports: Definition as a date remembered or celebrated because a special event occurred on that date in a previous year.
  5. Wiktionary —
    Supports: Etymology from Latin roots meaning yearly, year, and turning.