What is anniversary? Pronunciation and usage in English

anniversary means . Learn how to pronounce and use anniversary through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of anniversary

anniversarynoun

/ˌanɪˈvəːs(ə)ri/
Definition & pronunciation of anniversary

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "anniversary." It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • an-NIVERS-ee

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. an: Pronounced like the "a" in "ant" - short and quick.
  2. NIVERS: This is the tricky part. It's pronounced like "NIVER-sess".
    • NIVER: This sound is like "Nee-ver" - roll your 'r' slightly if you can! It’s not quite a hard “r” like in “red.”
    • sess: This sounds like "sess" – like the word "assess."
  3. ee: Pronounced like the "ee" in "see."

Putting it all together: “an-NIVER-sess-ee”

Tips to help:

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Usage and examples with the word anniversary in English

Let's break down how to use the word "anniversary" in English. It's a pretty common word, but it has nuances!

1. Basic Definition:

  • An anniversary is the date that marks the anniversary of an event. This event could be anything from a birthday, a wedding, a job start date, a business launch, or even a significant achievement.

2. Common Uses:

  • Romantic Anniversaries (Weddings): This is the most frequent use. "We're celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary." "They're going to a fancy dinner to celebrate their 20th anniversary."
  • Business Anniversaries: "Our company is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year."
  • Personal Anniversaries: "It's my brother's graduation anniversary – he graduated 10 years ago!"
  • Family Anniversaries: "We're having a small party to mark our children's anniversary of being adopted."

3. How to Express Anniversary Years:

  • Simple Years: "Our first anniversary." "Our second anniversary." "Our tenth anniversary."
  • Using "of": "Our wedding anniversary is in June." "The company's anniversary is in November."
  • Using "on": "We're celebrating our anniversary on July 14th."

4. Phrases Using "Anniversary":

  • "Happy Anniversary!" – The standard greeting.
  • "It's our anniversary!" – A statement of excitement or recognition.
  • "I'm looking forward to our anniversary." – Expressing anticipation.
  • "We’re going to celebrate our anniversary with a special trip." - Describing a planned event.
  • “He gave her a gift for their anniversary.” - Describing a gift presented.

5. Important Note – “Anniversary” vs. “Year”

  • Using "year" on its own can be ambiguous. "I'm turning 30 this year" simply means you’re turning 30.
  • “Anniversary” specifically refers to the date of a past event.

Examples in Sentences:

  • "They're planning a big celebration for their 25th anniversary."
  • "Sarah and David marked the anniversary of their engagement with a romantic dinner."
  • "I always send my parents a card on the anniversary of their marriage."
  • "The museum is holding a special exhibit to commemorate the anniversary of its founding."

Resources for more information:

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Synonyms for the word anniversary

Practice with vocabulary anniversary

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. My parents celebrated their 25th wedding __________ last weekend.
  2. The company’s annual __________ is coming up, and they’re planning a big party.
  3. We marked the __________ of our first meeting with a small dinner.
  4. The team organized a farewell __________ for their colleague who is retiring.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. What word describes the yearly celebration of a significant event?
    a) Birthday
    b) Anniversary
    c) Festival
    d) Occasion

  2. Which of the following words can refer to a milestone in a relationship or organization?
    a) Ceremony
    b) Anniversary
    c) Gathering
    d) Holiday

  3. Which phrase is commonly used to describe a 50-year celebration?
    a) Silver jubilee
    b) Golden anniversary
    c) Centennial
    d) Milestone

  4. What term is appropriate for a one-time event to honor someone’s achievements?
    a) Anniversary
    b) Tribute
    c) Festival
    d) Ceremony

  5. Which word often refers to the repetition of an event every year?
    a) Festival
    b) Reunion
    c) Anniversary
    d) Gathering

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: They celebrated the day they first met five years ago.
    Rewrite: They celebrated their __________ five years ago.

  2. Original: The company’s founding day is in October.
    Rewrite: The company’s __________ is in October.

  3. Original: The couple marked their 10th year of marriage with a trip.
    Rewrite: The couple celebrated their __________ with a trip.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. anniversary
  2. anniversary
  3. anniversary
  4. party

Exercise 2:

  1. b) Anniversary
  2. b) Anniversary
  3. b) Golden anniversary
  4. b) Tribute
  5. c) Anniversary

Exercise 3:

  1. They celebrated their anniversary five years ago.
  2. The company’s anniversary is in October.
  3. The couple celebrated their 10th anniversary with a trip.

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