funereal

adjective

fu·​ne·​re·​al fyu̇-ˈnir-ē-əl 

1

: of or relating to a funeral

2

: befitting or suggesting a funeral (as in solemnity)

funereally

fyu̇-ˈnir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• somber
• bleak
• depressing
• dark
• depressive
• solemn
• lonely
• darkening
• desolate
• morbid
• sombre
• murky

Examples of funereal in a Sentence

shivered with cold in the dark and funereal Victorian mansion

Recent Examples on the Web

Joya had been allowed to pull the flouncy bit off her shoulders, like the singers in ABBA, but since my mother told me to keep covered, the top surrounded me sadly like a funereal wreath. —Jhumpa Lahiri, New Yorker, 30 June 2025

The Jansson rift is captured in her Family painting, a stark portrait of her father and younger brother Per Olov in their military outfits, with the artist in funereal attire brooding over Per Olov’s chess game with youngest brother Lars. —Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025

But when the movie started, the mood turned funereal. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025

The former president was seen taking a photo with another mourner; his wife, like first lady Melania Trump — in attendance with President Trump — wore a funereal veil. —Adam Carlson, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin funereus, from funer-, funus

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for funereal

• arterial
• bacterial
• ethereal
• imperial
• material
• sidereal
• venereal
• antibacterial
• biomaterial
• mycobacterial
• cereal
• virial

Kids Definition

funereal

adjective

fu·​ne·​re·​al fyu̇-ˈnir-ē-əl 

: suggesting a funeral

funereal gloom

funereally

-ē-ə-lē 

adverb