funeral

American  

[fyoo-ner-uhl] / ˈfyu nər əl /

noun

1. the ceremonies for a dead person prior to burial or cremation; obsequies.

2. a funeral procession.

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adjective

1. of or relating to a funeral.

   funeral services; funeral expenses.

idioms

1. be someone's funeral, to have unpleasant consequences for someone.

   If you don't finish the work on time, it will be your funeral!

funeral British  

/ ˈfjuːnərəl /

noun

1. 1. a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated

   2. ( as modifier )

      a funeral service

2. a procession of people escorting a corpse to burial

3. informal worry; concern; affair

   that's your funeral

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funeral More Idioms  

1. see it's your funeral.

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Other Word Forms

• prefuneral adjective

Etymology

Origin of funeral

1350–1400; Middle English (adj.) < Medieval Latin fūnerālis, equivalent to Latin fūner-, stem of fūnus funeral rites + -ālis -al ¹; (noun), from early 16th cent., probably < Middle French funerailles < Medieval Latin fūnerālia, neuter plural of fūnerālis

Example Sentences

Bardot had left instructions that her funeral be conducted without fanfare or ostentation - but the people of Saint-Tropez wanted to pay her a proper adieu on Wednesday.

From BBC

Jonathan Stoner, who had been helping to raise funds for Trevor's funeral, said the error was discovered after he regained consciousness and said his name and date of birth.

From BBC

Mourners packed churches across Italy Wednesday for the funerals of four teenagers killed in Switzerland's New Year bar fire, with one of the grieving fathers insisting such a tragedy must never happen again.

From Barron's

The funerals of some of those who died have been taking place.

From BBC

Hundreds of Mani's family and friends, including some of the biggest names of British 1980s and 90s music, gathered at Manchester Cathedral for his funeral on 22 December.

From BBC

Related Words

• burial
• cremation