Ask Difference

Anniversary vs. Birthday — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 11, 2023
An anniversary marks a significant event's yearly recurrence. A birthday celebrates the annual return of a person's day of birth.

Difference Between Anniversary and Birthday

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Key Differences

An anniversary is traditionally understood as the yearly recurrence of a significant event or moment in history. This can be anything from a marriage to the founding of a company. It commemorates a past event, marking its passage through time. On the contrary, a birthday specifically represents the annual return of the date of a person's birth. It celebrates the age of an individual and the passage of their life year by year.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
When we think of anniversaries, we often consider them in the context of relationships. Many couples celebrate the date they first met, got engaged, or were married. Each year, this date returns and they may mark it with celebrations or gifts. A birthday, however, is individualistic (unless considering twins or multiple births). It's a celebration of life, growth, and personal achievements.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
Interestingly, while an anniversary can mark both happy and somber occasions (such as remembering the date of a historical event), birthdays are generally seen in a positive light, emphasizing joy, gratitude, and reflection. Anniversaries can thus be broader in scope, whereas birthdays remain focused on individual persons and their life journey.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
From a linguistic perspective, the word anniversary comes from the Latin “anniversarius,” which means "returning yearly," emphasizing the cyclical nature of the event. Birthday, on the other hand, straightforwardly combines "birth" and "day," signifying the day someone was born.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023

Comparison Chart

Definition

Yearly recurrence of a significant event.
Annual return of a person's day of birth.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
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Context

Often related to relationships, events, or milestones.
Pertains specifically to an individual's life.
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Nature

Can be both celebratory or commemorative.
Generally celebratory.
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Etymology

Derived from Latin “anniversarius,” meaning "returning yearly."
Combination of "birth" and "day."
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Oct 11, 2023

General Celebration

Often marked by reflection, commemoration, or celebration.
Celebrated with joy, gratitude, and reflection on personal achievements.
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Compare with Definitions

Anniversary

The yearly recurrence of a past event.
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.
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Oct 11, 2023
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Birthday

The annual celebration of a person's day of birth.
Today is my 30th birthday!
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Anniversary

A milestone achieved in intervals of years.
The company is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
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Birthday

A date marking a person's age increment.
Her birthday is on June 15th, and she'll be turning 21.
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Anniversary

A commemorative moment marked yearly.
The town holds an event on the anniversary of its founding.
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Oct 11, 2023

Birthday

An individual's personal milestone marked yearly.
His birthday party was a grand affair with all his friends and family.
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Oct 11, 2023

Anniversary

A date that celebrates a past significant occasion.
Our wedding anniversary is next week.
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Oct 11, 2023

Birthday

The day a person was born, celebrated annually.
Every birthday, he takes a moment to reflect on the past year.
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Oct 11, 2023

Anniversary

An anniversary is the date on which an event took place or an institution was founded in a previous year, and may also refer to the commemoration or celebration of that event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event.
Tayyaba Rehman
May 31, 2019

Birthday

A yearly reminder of one's life journey and growth.
On her birthday, she felt grateful for all her experiences.
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Anniversary

The date on which an event took place or an institution was founded in a previous year
The 75th anniversary of the RAF
The 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
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Birthday

A birthday is the anniversary of the birth of a person, or figuratively of an institution. Birthdays of people are celebrated in numerous cultures, often with birthday gifts, birthday cards, a birthday party, or a rite of passage.
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May 31, 2019

Anniversary

The annually recurring date of a past event, as of personal or historical importance
A wedding anniversary.
The anniversary of the founding of Rome.
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Birthday

The anniversary of the day on which a person was born, typically treated as an occasion for celebration and the giving of gifts
His twenty-ninth birthday
A birthday cake
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Anniversary

A date that follows a certain event by a specified amount of time
His six-month anniversary of quitting smoking.
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Birthday

The day of one's birth.
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Anniversary

An event at which an anniversary is celebrated.
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Birthday

The anniversary of one's birth.
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May 31, 2019

Anniversary

A day that is an exact number of years (to the day) since a given significant event occurred. Often preceded by an ordinal number indicating the number of years.
Today is the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the war.
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May 31, 2019

Birthday

The anniversary of the day on which someone is born.
When's your birthday? Mine's on April 1.
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Anniversary

(especially) Such a day that commemorates a wedding.
We are celebrating our tenth anniversary today.
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May 31, 2019

Birthday

The anniversary of the day on which something is created.
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May 31, 2019

Anniversary

A day subsequent in time to a given event by some significant period other than a year (especially as prefixed by the amount of time in question).
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May 31, 2019

Birthday

The date on which someone is born or something is created, more commonly called birthdate or date of birth.
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Anniversary

Returning with the year, at a stated time; annual; yearly; as, an anniversary feast.
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May 31, 2019

Birthday

A birthday party.
I'd like to invite you all to my birthday.
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May 31, 2019

Anniversary

The annual return of the day on which any notable event took place, or is wont to be celebrated; as, the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
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Birthday

To celebrate one's birthday.
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May 31, 2019

Anniversary

The day on which Mass is said yearly for the soul of a deceased person; the commemoration of some sacred event, as the dedication of a church or the consecration of a pope.
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Birthday

The day in which any person is born; day of origin or commencement.
Those barbarous ages past, succeeded nextThe birthday of invention.
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Anniversary

The celebration which takes place on an anniversary day.
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Birthday

The day of the month in which a person was born, in whatever succeeding year it may recur; the anniversary of one's birth.
This is my birthday; as this very dayWas Cassius born.
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May 31, 2019

Anniversary

The date on which an event occurred in some previous year (or the celebration of it)
Tayyaba Rehman
May 31, 2019

Birthday

Of or pertaining to the day of birth, or its anniversary; as, birthday gifts or festivities.
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May 31, 2019

Anniversary

A cyclical return of a particular date marking an event.
The anniversary of the historic treaty is observed solemnly.
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Oct 11, 2023

Birthday

An anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
Tayyaba Rehman
May 31, 2019

Birthday

The date on which a person was born
Tayyaba Rehman
May 31, 2019

Common Curiosities

Can an anniversary mark a sad event?

Yes, anniversaries can commemorate both joyous and somber events.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023

Do all cultures celebrate birthdays?

While many do, the way birthdays are celebrated can vary across cultures.
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Can companies have anniversaries?

Yes, companies often celebrate anniversaries marking their years in business.
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Is it customary to give gifts on a birthday?

In many cultures, yes. Gifts are a way to celebrate and show appreciation.
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Is a birthday always about age?

Primarily, yes. It marks the yearly passage of an individual's life.
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Oct 11, 2023

How is the word "anniversary" used in sentences?

It often denotes the yearly return of a date, e.g., "It's their silver wedding anniversary."
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Oct 11, 2023

Can pets have birthdays?

Yes, many people celebrate the birthdays of their pets.
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Oct 11, 2023

Is an anniversary always yearly?

Typically, yes. Though events can be remembered at other intervals, "anniversary" implies a yearly recurrence.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023

Why are certain birthday milestones more significant?

Cultural, societal, or personal values might emphasize certain ages as major life milestones.
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Oct 11, 2023

Can the word "anniversary" be used outside romantic contexts?

Absolutely, it can mark any significant past event's yearly recurrence.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023

How do people typically feel about significant anniversaries?

Feelings can vary, from joy and nostalgia to reflection and remembrance, depending on the event.
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Oct 11, 2023

What is a half-birthday?

It's a playful way to mark the midpoint between two birthdays, six months from the actual date.
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Oct 11, 2023

Do anniversaries always involve celebrations?

Not always. Some anniversaries might be observed with reflection or remembrance.
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Oct 11, 2023

What's a common way to celebrate a birthday?

Parties, cakes, gifts, and spending time with loved ones are common.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023

Can the term "anniversary" be used for monthly recurrences?

While traditionally yearly, some use "monthiversary" for monthly occurrences, but it's less formal.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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