anniversary

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "anniversary" is correct and usable in written English.
Usually it is used to refer to the date on which a special event or occasion took place in a previous year, such as a wedding or the founding of a company. For example: "This year marks the 15th anniversary of our company's founding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a highly critical report on Monday, marking the first anniversary of the official outbreak in west Africa, the charity said the governments of Guinea and Sierra Leone obstructed the early response and contributed to the loss of life.

The Guardian

This article has been amended to make clear that the MSF report marks the first anniversary of the date of the official outbreak of Ebola in west Africa.

The Guardian

Worth 8m kronor each, the Nobel prizes are always handed out on 10 December, the anniversary of prize founder Alfred Nobel's death in 1896.

The Guardian

Each year, on the anniversary of their first date, Fitt would buy stockings and chocolates, and repeat his journey to see the woman who would become his wife.

The Guardian

But two months after the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, when most of those injured and bereaved by the disaster are still waiting for compensation – though Primark, unlike other retailers who have admitted to a presence in the factory, has contributed to the compensation fund – the secret message hidden inside a piece of women's clothing is a startling image.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sunday marked the first anniversary of Leicester's promotion, at which point they were nine points clear of second-placed Burnley, 20 ahead of Derby County in third and 31 clear of Brighton in eighth place.

The Guardian - Sport

The Italian circuit is being opened to the public from the anniversary on Thursday until 4 May.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: Republicans drop abortion vote after revolt by female House members Supporters of the bill had hoped it would be passed on Thursday to coincide with the March for Life, a huge anti-abortion gathering held on the Mall each year to mark the anniversary of the supreme court's 1973 ruling to legalise abortion, Roe v Wade.

The Guardian

Worth 8m kronor (£690,000) each, the Nobel prizes are always handed out on 10 December, the anniversary of Nobel's death in 1896.

The Guardian

The story's a bit old – this week it celebrates its ninth anniversary, in fact – but you'll still find it mentioned occasionally in latterday attacks on the act.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the other end of the pitch, star striker Amad Al-Hosni has troubled Australia in the past and is increasingly surrounded by younger team-mates as Le Guen, who is approaching an impressive three year anniversary in the job, has used his joint role as Olympic coach to smoothen the transition from youth teams to senior side.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about an "anniversary", specify the number of years, months, or days that have passed since the original event to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "anniversary" interchangeably with general celebrations or holidays. An "anniversary" specifically marks the recurrence of a past event on the same date.

Linguistic Context

The word "anniversary" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the date on which an event took place in a previous year. It describes a recurring yearly point of remembrance or celebration. This is consistent with Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

28%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "anniversary" is a noun widely used to commemorate a past event on its recurring date. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically sound and applicable in diverse contexts. Our analysis of real-world examples shows that the word appears most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science, reflecting its broad relevance. While its register is generally neutral, context dictates the specific tone. When using "anniversary", consider specifying the timeframe involved. Alternatives such as "yearly commemoration" or "annual celebration" can add nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Yearly commemoration

Emphasizes the act of remembering and honoring an event that occurs each year.

Commemorative date

Focuses on the specific date that is being remembered or honored.

Annual celebration

Highlights the celebratory aspect of an event that happens every year.

Annual event

A general term for something that happens once a year.

Recurring milestone

Focuses on the significance of the event as a marker of progress or time.

Past event's milestone

Emphasizes that the event in the past has a milestone of a similar kind of the current day.

Annual observance

Stresses the formal or traditional aspect of marking the event each year.

A decade since

Highlights the amount of time that has passed since a particular event happened

Red-letter day

An important or significant day that is especially memorable.

Yearly landmark

Highlights the event as a significant point in time that recurs annually.

FAQs

How do I use "anniversary" in a sentence?

You can use "anniversary" to refer to a specific date each year that commemorates a past event. For example, "Today is the 20th anniversary of their wedding."

What can I say instead of "anniversary"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "yearly commemoration", "annual celebration", or "recurring milestone".

Is it correct to say "happy anniversary"?

Yes, it is common to say "Happy anniversary" as a congratulatory message, especially for wedding anniversaries.

What's the difference between a "bicentennial" and an "anniversary"?

An "anniversary" is a general term for any recurring date that commemorates a past event, while a "bicentennial" specifically marks a 200-year anniversary.