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

The album opens with droning, distorted guitars, a funereal chug enlivened by unexpectedly gargantuan drums. —Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026

With the movie business facing political, economic, technological, sociological, and generational pressures, this year’s ceremony had something of a funereal air. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2026

The mood around the JBX Talks conference this week was funereal. —Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 7 Mar. 2026

Losing a half-billion dollars The annual meeting of the California Canning Peach Association typically celebrates the history and future of the industry, but a funereal tone shrouded this year’s event, the 104th installment. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin funereus, from funer-, funus

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for funereal

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

Kids Definition

funereal

adjective

fu·​ne·​re·​al fyu̇-ˈnir-ē-əl 

: suggesting a funeral

funereal gloom

funereally

-ē-ə-lē 

adverb