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 of funereal

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

Examples of funereal in a Sentence

shivered with cold in the dark and funereal Victorian mansion

Recent Examples on the Web

Its epic-length bookends transposed the funereal aims of Bell Witch’s modern doom masterpiece Mirror Reaper to Floydian realms, while its gentler, more meditative midsection never completely renounced the artists’ metal roots. — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 9 Nov. 2026

On the ground floor, in the VR game Dash-180c, 2026, viewers adopt the first-person perspective of a drone, which takes them to an overgrown, tropical, post-human 3D universe ruled by monkeys—more funereal than fun. — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Black attire at a wedding looks funereal, and was traditionally considered a protest. — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026

The flight home from London was solemn to the point of funereal. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin funereus, from funer-, funus

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for funereal

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

Kids Definition

funereal

adjective

fu·​ne·​re·​al fyu̇-ˈnir-ē-əl 

: suggesting a funeral

funereal gloom

funereally

-ē-ə-lē 

adverb