Word
epitaph
Phoneticsepi·taph
US/ˈɛpəˌtæf/
UK/ˈɛpɪtˌæf/
Definition
n. a short piece of writing that is put on a tombstone to remember a person who has died. It usually says something about their life or character.
n. a short inscription on a tombstone or memorial, typically summarizing the life or achievements of the deceased.
Examples
“The epitaph on her grave reads 'She lived with kindness'.”
“The poet spent years crafting a moving epitaph for his late friend, hoping to capture his spirit in just a few lines.”
“While many epitaphs are simple and factual, this one is a masterful elegy that reflects the subject's lifelong dedication to social justice and the arts.”
Examples
simple
“The epitaph on her grave reads 'She lived with kindness'.”
contextual
“The poet spent years crafting a moving epitaph for his late friend, hoping to capture his spirit in just a few lines.”
complex
“While many epitaphs are simple and factual, this one is a masterful elegy that reflects the subject's lifelong dedication to social justice and the arts.”
Etymology
From Old French epitafe, from Late Latin epitaphium (“eulogy”), from Ancient Greek ἐπιτάφιος (epitáphios, “relating to a funeral”), from ἐπί (epí, “over”) + τάφος (táphos, “tomb”). By surface analysis epi- + -taph.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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