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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

This September, Belmont is hosting a literary festival, and in October the town is home to a variety of autumnal offerings, including Boofest and Howl-o-ween, a dog dress-up competition. — Eva Flowe august 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026 Traditional toile patterns tend to tap bold blues and greens, but the chocolate hue is a decidedly autumnal shade. — Maria Sabella, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026 With cozy textures, rich autumnal shades, and sophisticated accents, every room of your home can have a fall-ready look that doesn’t feel themed and will look polished through Thanksgiving. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026 This shift inspires a fresh collection of cocktail ideas, artfully blending vibrant summer fruits like pineapple, peach, and grapefruit with autumnal notes of cranberry and maraschino cherry. — John Kell, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for autumnal

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of autumnal was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Autumnal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autumnal. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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autumnal

adjective

Examples of autumnal in a Sentence

Word History

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