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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But when the movie started, the mood turned funereal.

Read more on 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.

Read more on 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.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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