hibernal

[ hahy-bur-nl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to winter; wintry.

hibernal

/ haɪˈbɜːnəl /

adjective

1. of or occurring in winter

Word History and Origins

Origin of hibernal¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Late Latin hībernālis, equivalent to Latin hībern(us) “wintry” (akin to hiems “winter”) + -ālis, adjective suffix; hiemal, -al ¹;

Word History and Origins

Origin of hibernal¹

C17: from Latin hībernālis, from hiems winter

Example Sentences

This all helps explain that despite the striking contrast between a largely unaffected Australian summer and the hibernal catastrophes unfolding elsewhere, there is little hubris.

From The Guardian

So, “nocturnal” turns the sky dark and transforms a bird into an owl, while “hibernal” blankets everything in snow.

From Washington Post

In 2009, Serge Lutens released Fille en Aiguilles, a cult hit that smells like a Christmas tree farm, and slowly the hibernal trend began to trickle through the indie perfume world.

From New York Times

Having fully surveyed my own garden for its hibernal highlights, I dropped by Green Spring Gardens near Alexandria knowing that I would find, at the least, some interesting witch hazels in bloom.

From Washington Post

The winter, or hibernal, solstice — which is actually only a single moment in time astronomically — is celebrated in various ways throughout the world but often includes an observation at sunrise or sunset.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bleak
• chilly
• desolate
• freezing
• frigid
• frosty
• frozen
• icy