Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or characteristic of autumn: Describing something that belongs to, occurs in, or is typical of the autumn season.
   • Resembling or suggestive of autumn, especially in maturity or decline: Used metaphorically to describe a period of late maturity, mellowness, or the beginning of a decline, often with a sense of serene beauty.

Usage Examples

• Literal (Seasonal):
  • The autumnal colors of the leaves were breathtaking. (The colors typical of autumn on the leaves were breathtaking.)
  • We enjoy long walks in the crisp autumnal air. (We enjoy long walks in the crisp air characteristic of autumn.)
• Metaphorical (Maturity/Decline):
  • The artist's latest work has an autumnal quality, reflecting a calm acceptance. (The artist's latest work has a quality suggestive of autumn's late maturity.)
  • He entered an autumnal phase of his career, focusing on mentorship. (He entered a phase of his career verging on late maturity.)

Advanced Usage

• "autumnal equinox": The specific time in autumn when day and night are of approximately equal length.
  • The autumnal equinox marks the official beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Serene or Melancholic Mood: Often used to evoke a specific, contemplative atmosphere.
  • The novel is filled with an autumnal sense of nostalgia and change.

Variants and Related Words

• Autumn (n): The season itself; fall.
  • My favorite season is autumn.
• Autumnally (adv): In an autumnal manner. (Rare)
  • The landscape was autumnally beautiful.

Synonyms

• Fall-like: Characteristic of the fall/autumn season. (More common in American English)
• Harvest: Pertaining to the time of harvest, which is often in autumn. (Context-specific)
• Mellow: Ripe and mild, suggesting the metaphorical sense of autumnal maturity.

Antonyms

• Vernal: Relating to or characteristic of spring.
• Springlike: Resembling or typical of spring.
• Youthful: Characteristic of youth, opposite to the metaphorical sense of late maturity.

Related Phrases

• Autumnal years: A poetic phrase for the later years of a person's life.
  • In his autumnal years, he took up painting.
• Autumnal tone/tint: A specific shade or color reminiscent of autumn (e.g., gold, russet, amber).
  • She decorated the room in warm autumnal tones.

Adjective

1. characteristic of late maturity verging on decline
   • a serene autumnal mood
2. of or characteristic of or occurring in autumn
   • the autumnal equinox
   • autumnal fruits