funicular

1 of 2

adjective

fu·​nic·​u·​lar fyu̇-ˈni-kyə-lər 

fə-

1

: having the form of or associated with a cord usually under tension

2

[New Latin funiculus] : of, relating to, or being a funiculus

3

: of, relating to, or being a funicular

a funicular system

funicular

2 of 2

noun

: a cable railway ascending a mountain

especially : one in which an ascending car counterbalances a descending car

Did you know?

You may have fun on a funicular, but the word is not related to "fun" (which comes to us from an English dialect verb meaning "to hoax"). The noun "funicular" descends from an earlier adjective funicular, meaning "relating to a cord under tension." It was also influenced by "funiculaire," a French word used for a type of railway that is dependent upon cables (or on "cords under tension"). Ultimately, these terms trace back to the Latin noun funiculus, meaning "small rope." "Funicular" first appeared in print as an adjective in English in 1664; the noun has been with us since the early 20th century.

Examples of funicular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The royal visited a school, rode a funicular railway, played crazy golf, talked to fishermen about the threat of warming seas, won a charity polo match and topped it all off with a family visit to Wimbledon. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Artxanda Viewpoint is a three-minute journey via funicular railway and gives panoramic views of the city. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 5 July 2026

Noun

Then, take the city's funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for a fantastic view. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026

Now, here are two guys who know how to build, if not quite an actual Underground Railroad, one hell of a funicular. — Chris Willman, Variety, 18 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin funiculus

First Known Use

Adjective

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1888, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for funicular

• acicular
• articular
• curricular
• cuticular
• lenticular
• navicular
• particular
• radicular
• reticular
• testicular
• vehicular
• acromioclavicular

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Kids Definition

funicular

noun

fu·​nic·​u·​lar

fyu̇-ˈnik-yə-lər, 

fə-

: a cable railway going up a mountain

Medical Definition

funicular

adjective

fu·​nic·​u·​lar fyu̇-ˈnik-yə-lər, fə- 

: of, relating to, or being a funiculus