vernal

adjective

ver·nal ˈvər-nᵊl

Synonyms of vernal next

: of, relating to, or occurring in the spring

vernal equinox

vernal sunshine

: fresh or new like the spring

also : youthful

vernally

ˈvər-nᵊl-ē

adverb

Did you know?

If you want to sound sophisticated this spring, you can do what various learned individuals have done since the 16th century and refer to the spring equinox as the vernal equinox. You might also alter a classic rhyme to chant "Vernal showers bring May flowers." Or if you really want to wax poetic, you could compliment your lass's vernal grace or your beau's vernal charm. If you do, and your sweetheart asks where such a word comes from, you can further impress by saying, "'Vernal,' my dear, comes from the Latin 'vernalis,' which is derived from the Latin word for spring, 'ver.'"

Example Sentences

trees and flowers in vernal bloom

Recent Examples on the Web In Monkton, Vt., a group of amphibian enthusiasts was appalled at the carnage that would happen on rainy nights each spring as salamanders and frogs that had overwintered in the forest crossed a road to breed in the vernal pools where they were born. —

New York Times, 31 May 2021 Elusive vernal pools can spark appreciation for what is transient, coyotes can elicit the fear for what is wild, and Barney traps can symbolize hope in the face of relentless loss. —

Guest, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2018 Like the vernal equinox, New Directors/New Films is a sign that winter and the soul-crushing slog known as awards season have finally ended. —

Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2023 The delicious spread had been pulled from the traditional canon celebrating Nowruz, the ancient observance of the vernal equinox, rooted in Zoroastrianism, seen as the most important event on the Persian calendar. —

Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2023 Spring officially arrives at 5:24 p.m. at the vernal equinox, when temperatures should be right around 50 degrees. —

Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2023 Portland’s first day of astronomical spring (vernal equinox) will be cool and wet with shower likely throughout the day. —

oregonlive, 20 Mar. 2023 The vernal equinox, the astronomical marker of the season, happens today at 4:24 p.m. CDT. —

Leigh Morgan, al, 20 Mar. 2023 Our long, chilly winter finally comes to an end on Monday with the vernal equinox, which marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. —

Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vernal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin vernālis, from vernus "of spring" (going back to pre-Latin *u̯esri-no-, adjective derivative from the base of Latin vēr "spring") + -ālis -al entry 1; vēr "spring," going back to Indo-European *u̯ḗs-r̥-, *u̯es-n̥-s, whence also Old Norse vár "spring," Old Frisian wars, wērs, Welsh gwanwyn (Old Welsh guiannuin, from British Celtic *u̯esantēno-), Middle Irish errach (probably from *u̯esrāko-, with generalization of the lenited initial consonant), Old Church Slavic vesna, Russian vesná, Lithuanian vãsara "summer," Greek éar "spring" (from *u̯ehar, from *u̯esr̥), Armenian garun (gar- from *gehar-, from *u̯esr̥- + a suffix), Sanskrit vasantá-, Avestan vaŋri (locative) "in the spring"