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

In the Southern Hemisphere, on the other hand, it is known as the autumnal equinox and represents the beginning of fall. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025

The Earth is not tilted toward or away from the sun on the first day of fall as well, also called the autumnal equinox. —Amanda Cappelli, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2025

Traditional autumnal palettes are enriched with unexpected combinations and meaningful color stories. —Angela Lei, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

Lion’s Tail Photo : Tim Bieber/Getty Images This classic from 1937 is the perfect autumnal whiskey drink, with half its soul in summer and the other half in winter. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above