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. suggestive of a funeral; gloomy or mournful Alsofunebrialfjuːˈniːbrɪəl

Derived Forms

• fuˈnereally, adverb

Other Words From

• fu·nere·al·ly adverb
• unfu·nere·al adjective
• unfu·nere·al·ly 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

He's not enjoying himself and it shows and compared to the excited crowds greeting Harris and Walz this week this sad, pathetic appearance seemed almost funereal.

From Salon

The stunning call — which some attendees described as funereal — added to the growing tension between the newsroom and Mr. Lewis, who has set about remaking The Post since he started in January.

From New York Times

When the tornado hits Kansas, this ensemble starts spinning around sinisterly in funereal disco costumes that might have been a hit on the long-forgotten variety television program “Dance Fever.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Mexico locker room afterward was funereal, but even that was a good sign, Lozano said.

From Los Angeles Times

Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith accepted Michigan State’s contract offer on Saturday, one day after his alma mater suffered a season-ending loss to Oregon that felt funereal on multiple levels:

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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