funereal

[fyoo-neer-ee-uhl]

adjective

1. of or suitable for a funeral.

2. mournful; gloomy; dismal.

   a funereal aloofness that was quite chilling.

funereal

/ fjuːˈnɪərɪəl /

adjective

1. Also: funebrial. suggestive of a funeral; gloomy or mournful

Other Word Forms

• funereally adverb
• unfunereal adjective
• unfunereally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of funereal¹

1715–25; < Latin fūnere(us) of, belonging to a funeral + -al ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of funereal¹

C18: from Latin fūnereus

Example Sentences

The infamous “waxworks” scene captures silent-era figures like Buster Keaton playing cards, their faces pure funereal alabaster.

From Los Angeles Times

The musicians wore white, flower-print jackets and black shirts as they played funereal tunes.

From Los Angeles Times

But when the movie started, the mood turned funereal.

From Los Angeles Times

Al-Hijazi joined her relatives in the square, beating her chest to the rhythm of a funereal dirge, tears streaming down her cheek.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump was caked in "open casket" levels of make-up, and while alive, brought sleepy energy that only added to the funereal tone.

From Salon

Related Words

• elegiac 
• gloomy 
• lugubrious 
• mournful 
• solemn 
• somber