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

An imam was hauled up from his small room adjacent to his small mosque and ordered to get ready to lead the funeral prayers of a very important man. —Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026

After the visitation, there will be the funeral procession, where Elliott will be laid to rest in Crown Hill Cemetery. —Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026

Noun

One of its members was convicted of ordering Levin’s murder, but thereafter Levin, or someone resembling him, was sighted hither and yon, on a Greek island, at a funeral [not his own], and behind the wheel of a brown Mercedes in LA. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026

Due to this decision, he was not allowed to dress in military uniform when attending his mother's funeral in 2022 like his siblings, instead wearing a suit. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 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