adjective
funereal
fyoo-NEER-ee-uhl
Funereal (adjective) means relating to a funeral, or having the slow, solemn and gloomy mood of one. Example: “The organ played a funereal march as the coffin was carried in.”
adjective
1
Relating to a funeral, or having the slow, solemn and gloomy mood of one.
"The organ played a funereal march as the coffin was carried in."
"The mood at the dinner was funereal after the bad news."
"He spoke in a slow, funereal voice."
How to use funereal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlow, solemn and gloomy, like a funeral.
When to use it
It is fairly formal and often used in descriptive writing.
Memory tip
Funereal describes a mood or manner; do not use it as the name of the ceremony.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
funeral →
funerary
Common pairings
funereal silence
funereal pace
funereal tone
funereal atmosphere
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The organ played a _____ march as the coffin was carried in.
Etymology
From Middle French funerail, which came from Latin funereus with the ending -al added.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for funereal
See all rhymes for funereal →Frequently asked questions
What does funereal mean?
It describes something to do with a funeral, or something slow, dark and solemn in the way a funeral is.
How do you pronounce funereal?
It is pronounced fyoo-NEER-ee-uhl, with the stress on the second syllable.
What is the difference between funereal and funerary?
Funerary means connected with funerals and burial, as in funerary urns, while funereal describes a gloomy, solemn mood or manner.
What is the meaning of funereal?
"funereal" (adjective) means relating to a funeral, or having the slow, solemn and gloomy mood of one.
