macabre

[ muh-kah-bruh, -kahb, -kah-ber ]

adjective

1. gruesome and horrifying; ghastly; horrible.
2. of, pertaining to, dealing with, or representing death, especially its grimmer or uglier aspect.
3. of or suggestive of the allegorical dance of death.

macabre

/ -brə; məˈkɑːbə /

adjective

1. gruesome; ghastly; grim
2. resembling or associated with the danse macabre

Derived Forms

• maˈcabrely, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of macabre¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from French; compare late Middle English Macabrees daunce, from Middle French danse (de) Macabré, of uncertain origin; perhaps to be identified with Medieval Latin chorēa Machabaeōrum a representation of the deaths of Judas Maccabaeus and his brothers, but evidence is lacking; the French pronunciation with mute e is a misreading of the Middle French forms

Word History and Origins

Origin of macabre¹

C15: from Old French danse macabre dance of death, probably from macabé relating to the Maccabees, who were associated with death because of the doctrines and prayers for the dead in II Macc. (12:43–46)

Example Sentences

Some accusations apparently even took a turn for the macabre.

From The Daily Beast

For the most part, however, he just talks into a stiff, eerie silence, in a monologue that he seems to ad-lib or summon forth from a macabre collection of fables that exists only in his head.

From Vox

A few months later, he began doodling on his computer, drawing a lucha libre mask resembling Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, the rock ’n’ roll pioneer known for his operatic vocals and macabre stage antics.

From MIT Technology Review

In Pune, one of the worst-hit cities in India, the wailing sirens of ambulances have become a macabre feature of the city’s soundscape.

From Science News

Later in the “Sinnerman” narrative, the game features yet another scene that makes excellent use of the first-person camera, using your eyes and hands to partake in this macabre, sacrilegious act of violence and media.

From Washington Post

Given the somewhat macabre origins of the feast, many of the celebrations were designed to placate the gods.

From The Daily Beast

You two seem to have similar artistic sensibilities, both very interested in the macabre.

From The Daily Beast

After all, he was on television every week, telling macabre stories, frightening us.

From The Daily Beast

And in the summer months, when shootings soar, the city can be a ghoulish playground for those interested in the macabre.

From The Daily Beast

Over the past few years, macabre signs of vampire burials have been unearthed across Europe and even in the United States.

From The Daily Beast

For the significance of the French word macabre we must turn to the Arabic makabir, signifying a burial place or cemetery.

From Project Gutenberg

"All over but the cheering," he replied with that strange, macabre humor which often comes to solace men about to die.

From Project Gutenberg

At Rouen in the aitre (atrium) or cloister of St Maclou there also remains a sculptured danse macabre.

From Project Gutenberg

The Danse Macabre itself is a subject which is well nigh exhaustless.

From Project Gutenberg

Saint-Saëns has even utilized the barbarous xylophone, whose proper place is the variety hall, in his "Danse Macabre."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• frightening
• ghastly
• ghoulish
• grim
• grisly
• gruesome
• lurid
• morbid
• spooky
• weird