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

This year, Drummond brought back a customer favorite and designed two new autumnal baking dishes. —Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Sep. 2024

In addition to cardigan sweaters and boots, there’s the transitional jacket, a beloved autumnal classic. —Alyssa Coscarelli, refinery29.com, 12 Sep. 2024

The oldest Chinese bakery in Chicago makes hundreds of mooncakes a day during the Mid-Autumn Festival season, which culminates in a full moon around the autumnal equinox, which falls on Sept. 17 this year. —Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2024

This charming, pumpkin brown candle holder adds an autumnal touch to your home’s fall decor. —Jen Cason, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above