funeral

1 of 2

adjective

fu·​ner·​al ˈfyü-nə-rəl 

ˈfyün-rəl

1

: of, relating to, or constituting a funeral

funeral rites

2

: funereal sense 2

funeral

2 of 2

noun

1

: the observances held for a dead person usually before burial or cremation

2

chiefly dialectal : a funeral sermon

3

: a funeral procession

4

: an end of something's existence

5

: a situation for which one will have to suffer the consequences

If you flunk, it's your funeral.

Synonyms of funeral

Adjective

• weeping
• mournful
• grieving
• heartbroken
• wailing
• bitter

Examples of funeral in a Sentence

Adjective

a slow and heavy funeral song

Noun

Only family attended the funeral.

His funeral will be held on Friday.

His cousin made the funeral arrangements.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

There will be funeral prayers later at the Imam Hussein shrine in Karbala as well. — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Khamenei’s casket was displayed Tuesday in Qom, the Iranian seat of religious scholarship, and Iranian officials have said funeral events will take place Wednesday in Iraq, which is home to two of the holiest shrines for Shiites. — Garrett Haake, NBC news, 7 July 2026

Noun

The funeral, which ends Thursday, was supposed to be a period of lower tensions. — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

The attacks also coincide with the multi-day funeral for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the joint US-Israel operation that kicked off the war. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Late Latin funeralis, from Latin funer-, funus funeral (noun)

Noun

Middle English funerelles (plural), from Middle French funerailles (plural), from Medieval Latin funeralia (plural), from Late Latin, neuter plural of funeralis, adjective

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing funeral

• funeral director
• funeral home
• it's (someone's) funeral

Kids Definition

funeral

noun

fu·​ner·​al

ˈfyün-(ə-)rəl

: the ceremonies held for a dead person (as before burial)

funeral adjective