funeral
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈfjuːnərəl/
KK: /ˈfjuːnərəl/
adjective
Definition
Relating to a ceremony held for someone who has died.
Example
The funeral service was attended by many friends and family members.
Conversation
Did you hear about the funeral next week?
Yeah, it's really sad. I can’t believe they’re gone.
I know, I feel like it’s going to be a very funeral atmosphere.
Definitely, but it’s important to pay our respects.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
mournful
solemn
funereal
Antonyms
joyful
cheerful
celebratory
noun
Definition
A ceremony held to honor and remember someone who has died, often involving a burial or cremation.
Example
We attended the funeral to pay our respects to her family.
Conversation
Did you hear about the funeral next week?
Yeah, I heard it’s for Mr. Johnson; he was a great guy.
I can’t believe he’s gone; the funeral will be really sad.
Root Explanation
Funeral → It is derived from the Latin word "funus" (meaning burial or corpse) and the suffix "-al" (meaning relating to). The word "funeral" refers to something that is related to a burial or the ceremonies surrounding the burial of a deceased person.
Memory Tip
Think of the Latin word for burial, 'funus', to remember that a funeral is related to the ceremonies of burying someone.
Visually Confused Words
fural
feral
prefuneral