Autumnal
adjective /ɔːˈtʌm.nəl/ — Of, relating to, or characteristic of autumn
Definition
Relating to autumn — or having the qualities associated with autumn: decline, ripeness, a particular golden melancholy, the knowledge of coming cold.
Beyond the definition
Not just a season but a feeling. To be autumnal is to be in a phase of beautiful decline — fullest just before the end.
Origin & history
From Latin 'autumnalis' — from 'autumnus' (autumn). The season of harvest and decline, from an Etruscan root via Latin.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The light had an autumnal quality even in August — a shift in angle that announced the change was coming.
There is something autumnal about middle age: the ripeness and the knowledge that it won't last.
She decorated in autumnal colours — ochre, umber, deep red — because that palette made her feel complete.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Autumnal” when the meaning fits your context: Relating to autumn — or having the qualities associated with autumn: decline, ripeness, a particular golden melancholy, the knowledge of coming cold.
Synonyms
autumnal, harvest, golden, mellowing, declining
Antonyms
vernal, spring-like
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Autumnal" mean?
Autumnal is adjective meaning: Of, relating to, or characteristic of autumn. Relating to autumn — or having the qualities associated with autumn: decline, ripeness, a particular golden melancholy, the knowledge of coming cold.
Where does the word "Autumnal" come from?
From Latin 'autumnalis' — from 'autumnus' (autumn). The season of harvest and decline, from an Etruscan root via Latin.