autumnal

adjective

au·​tum·​nal ȯ-ˈtəm-nəl 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of autumn

autumnal weather

autumnal colors

the autumnal equinox

I am often surprised to see rising amid these trees the rounded tops of apple-trees glowing with red or yellow fruit, in harmony with the autumnal tints of the forest.

—Henry David Thoreau

autumnally

ȯ-ˈtəm-nə-lē 

adverb

These days on the verge of winter were autumnally fair, struck through with warmth until the swift lengthening of the shadows.

—John Updike

Examples of autumnal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Apple and pecan, a decidedly autumnal pairing, gets a fresh, bright update with the addition of carrot cake. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026

The rooms The 106 rooms were given an autumnal, woody touch with a period-appropriate color palette—dull green, bronze, chocolatey brown, ochre, dusty white and terracotta—that feels at once fresh and nostalgic. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026

Amy Clipston’s upcoming book is sure to satisfy all of your autumnal cravings. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026

Still, the headliner of the holiday—just like its autumnal cousin Halloween—is, of course, candy, and new research shows how adults are embracing the sweet side of the spring holiday and hankering for an Easter basket of their own. —Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin autumnālis, from autumnus autumn + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above