noun

epitaph

EHP-ih-tahf

Epitaph (noun) means Words inscribed on a gravestone or tomb in memory of the person buried there. Example: “Her epitaph simply read, "She loved fiercely and lived well.”

noun

Words inscribed on a gravestone or tomb in memory of the person buried there.

"Her epitaph simply read, "She loved fiercely and lived well.""

"The old churchyard is full of weathered epitaphs dating back centuries."

How to use epitaph

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe short memorial text carved on a gravestone (or, loosely, any brief tribute written after someone's death).

Common pairings

write an epitaph carved epitaph fitting epitaph

Word forms

epitaphed past tense, epitaphs plural, epitaphs singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her _____ simply read, "She loved fiercely and lived well."

Etymology

From Greek epitáphios, "over a tomb" — from epi- ("over") + táphos ("tomb").

Origin: Greek

Frequently asked questions

What does “epitaph” mean?

The word “epitaph” means words inscribed on a gravestone or tomb in memory of the person buried there. In plain terms, the short memorial text carved on a gravestone (or, loosely, any brief tribute written after someone's death).

How do you pronounce “epitaph”?

“Epitaph” is pronounced EHP-ih-tahf (/ˈɛp.ɪˌtæf/ in IPA).

How do you use “epitaph” in a sentence?

Here is “epitaph” used in a sentence: “Her epitaph simply read, "She loved fiercely and lived well.".”

What part of speech is “epitaph”?

“Epitaph” is a noun.

Where does the word “epitaph” come from?

The word “epitaph” comes from Greek. From Greek epitáphios, "over a tomb" — from epi- ("over") + táphos ("tomb").