Search Dictionary
Definition of macabre

macabre

/məˈkɑː.brə/
ma · ca · bre
Adverb:macabrely
JUMP TO:

macabre Lexical Profile

macabre Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Disturbing, horrifying, or gruesome because of an involvement with or depiction of death and injury.

Example

"Edgar Allan Poe is celebrated for his macabre tales of mystery and terror."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for macabre
Antonyms
View all antonyms for macabre

• Rhymes for macabre

• Nearby Words

mac and cheese
mac mac
maca
macabre
macadamia
macambo
macao

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 19th century from French macabre, extracted from the medieval phrase danse macabre ('Dance of Death'), an allegory of the universality of death, perhaps derived from the Old French personal name Macabré or a reference to the Biblical Maccabees.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Macabre. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/macabre
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.