solemn
grave, sober, or mirthless, as a person, the face, speech, tone, or mood: solemn remarks.
gravely or somberly impressive; causing serious thoughts or a grave mood: solemn music.
serious or earnest: solemn assurances.
characterized by dignified or serious formality, as proceedings; of a formal or ceremonious character: a solemn occasion.
made in due legal or other express form, as a declaration or agreement: a solemn oath.
marked or observed with religious rites; having a religious character: a solemn holy day.
uttered, prescribed, or made according to religious forms: a solemn ban on sacrifice.
Origin of solemn
1synonym study For solemn
word story For solemn
In English, the extension of solemn from applying to rites, ceremonies, holy days, or oaths to nonreligious actions or feelings arose in the mid-15th century. One imagines early religious rites and ceremonies as being (like modern ones) serious and reverential affairs, and that the individuals performing or participating in them did so with a corresponding grave and serious demeanor. So it is not hard to see how the current sense of "grave, sober, or mirthless" developed: applying first to the people who participated in religious rites, and then losing the connection with the rites themselves.
Other words for solemn
Opposites for solemn
Other words from solemn
- sol·emn·ly, adverb
- sol·emn·ness, noun
- o·ver·sol·emn, adjective
- o·ver·sol·emn·ness, noun
- sem·i·sol·emn, adjective
- sem·i·sol·emn·ness, noun
- su·per·sol·emn, adjective
- su·per·sol·emn·ness, noun
- un·sol·emn, adjective
- un·sol·emn·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for solemn
/ (ˈsɒləm) /
characterized or marked by seriousness or sincerity: a solemn vow
characterized by pomp, ceremony, or formality
serious, glum, or pompous
inspiring awe: a solemn occasion
performed with religious ceremony
gloomy or sombre: solemn colours
Origin of solemn
1Derived forms of solemn
- solemnly, adverb
- solemnness or solemness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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