sepulchral

[ suh-puhl-kruhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or serving as a tomb.
2. of or relating to burial.
3. proper to or suggestive of a tomb; funereal or dismal.
4. hollow and deep:

   sepulchral tones.

sepulchral

/ sɪˈpʌlkrəl /

adjective

1. suggestive of a tomb; gloomy
2. of or relating to a sepulchre

Derived Forms

• seˈpulchrally, adverb

Other Words From

• se·pulchral·ly adverb
• transse·pulchral adjective
• unse·pulchral adjective
• unse·pulchral·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sepulchral¹

From the Latin word sepulcrālis, dating back to 1605–15. See sepulcher, -al ¹

Example Sentences

The creepy opening scene and sepulchral vibe here, though, suggest that whatever happens next will definitely be very unhappy.

From New York Times

Sepulchral and mothy — Jaeggy does that well.

From New York Times

For the genuine article, try Naxos’ new, unabridged recording of “The Phantom of the Opera,” in which the sumptuous grotesqueries of Gaston Leroux’s oft-adapted 1910 novel are further empurpled by the rich sepulchral timbre of Bill Homewood’s voice, in a deliciously ghastly narration.

From Seattle Times

There isn’t much to say about Nardelli’s sepulchral comments, other than that he has a hell of a nerve.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet surrounding, and softening, this sepulchral frieze are signs of new life and growth in the form of plantings, designed by the landscape artist Walter J. Hood, of lush vegetation: palm trees native to Africa, sweet grass native to South Carolina.

From New York Times