Posthumous
/ˈpɑːstʃəməs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Posthumous means something that happens after a person dies. We often use it for things like awards, honors, or works (books, music) that are given or appear after the person is no longer alive.
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See It in Action
Happening or given after a person's death
- •He received a posthumous award for his bravery.
- •The author's posthumous novel became a bestseller.
- •She was honored posthumously for her contributions to science.
Born after the death of the father (less common, used in biology or history)
- •The posthumous child never met his father.
- •Posthumous births were more common in past centuries.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "posthumous" like "after" (A1 word), but specifically "after death"
- ✓Picture a book with a photo of an author who has already passed away on the cover
- ✓It's the feeling when you hear someone received praise or a gift after they died, which can be both sad and respectful
- ✓Sounds like "POST-hue-muss" → imagine a letter (post) arriving after someone has gone (humous sounds like "humus," earth/soil, where people are buried)
- ✓Think of famous artists or writers whose works become known only after they die, like Van Gogh or Emily Dickinson
- ✓NOT like "alive" or "current"—posthumous is always about what happens after life ends
- ✓NOT like "legacy" (which means what someone leaves behind)—posthumous is about events happening after death, not the memory or influence itself
Try Other Words
- •After-death: happening after someone dies (Use in simple or informal situations)
- •Post-mortem: occurring after death, often used for medical or investigation contexts (Use when talking about examinations or reports after death)
- •Late: referring to someone who has died (Use when talking about a person, e.g., "the late Mr. Smith")
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "post-" (after) + "humous" (from Latin "humus" meaning ground or earth)
- •Etymology: From Latin "posthumus," meaning "after burial" or "after death"
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe children born after the father's death; later expanded to things occurring after any death
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe awards, publications, or honors given after a person's death
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be considered posthumous if it happens very long after a person dies? Why or why not?
•How does the idea of posthumous recognition affect the way we remember people who have passed away?
Fill in the blanks
1.The artist's ___ work was discovered and became famous only after his death.
2.She received a ___ award to honor her lifetime achievements.
3.A ___ child is one who is born after the father's ___.
4.The book was published ___, so the author never saw its success.
5.Unlike an award given during life, a posthumous award is given ___.
6.Posthumous honors often make people think about a person's ___ and legacy.
7.The ceremony gave ___ recognition to the scientist who died last year.