Quick answer
Cadaverous means gaunt, pale, and corpse-like in appearance. It is usually pronounced kuh-DAV-er-us, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Cadaverous
Cadaverous describes someone or something that is gaunt, pale, and corpse-like in appearance. It belongs to grotesque, gory, and macabre words and works best in dark description, gothic writing, and vivid unpleasant imagery. It is still understandable today, but it usually sounds more vivid and deliberate than ordinary modern vocabulary.
At a glance
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How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If something is cadaverous, it is gaunt, pale, and corpse-like in appearance. The word usually adds a stronger tone than a simpler adjective, which is why it suits dark description, gothic writing, and vivid unpleasant imagery so well.
Why this word feels absurd
Cadaverous feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Cadaverous is generally traced to from Latin cadaver, meaning corpse. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Cadaverous is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
Example sentences
- The review called the minister’s reply positively cadaverous.
- One cadaverous remark was enough to sour the entire meeting.
- The novel introduces a cadaverous uncle who complains before breakfast.
- His cadaverous tone made the ordinary objection sound much worse than it was.
- She likes the word because even the insult feels slightly theatrical when it is cadaverous.
When should you use this word?
Use cadaverous when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in dark description, gothic writing, and vivid unpleasant imagery.
Similar words
gaunt, haggard, deathly, sunken
Opposite or contrasting words
rosy, healthy, glowing
Common questions
- What does cadaverous mean? gaunt, pale, and corpse-like in appearance.
- How do you pronounce cadaverous? It is commonly pronounced kuh-DAV-er-us.
- Is cadaverous still used today? Cadaverous is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
- When should you use cadaverous? Use cadaverous when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in dark description, gothic writing, and vivid unpleasant imagery.
- What words are similar to cadaverous? Similar words include gaunt, haggard, deathly, and sunken.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.