Subfusc
Adjective
- Having little of brightness or appeal.
Example Sentences
“Her subfusc wardrobe made her seem more serious than her actual bubbly personality.”
“The ceremony’s subfusc attire gave the whole room a somber tone.”
“The dress code called for something subfusc, but a few people still showed up in bright colors.”
Word Origin
Latin, early 18th century
Why this word?
This adjective, mostly used in British English, comes from the Latin “subfuscus,” meaning “brownish, dusky.” The prefix “sub-” means “near, almost,” and “fuscus” is a dark brown or blackish tone. “Subfusc” is almost always used in relation to clothing — it means the attire is dull and somber. Someone who limits their wardrobe to all black is dressing in a subfusc manner.
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