solemn Hear it!

solemn definition

sol·emn (säl′əm)

adjective

    1. observed or done according to ritual or tradition: said esp. of religious holidays, rites, etc.
    2. sacred in character
  2. according to strict form; formal a solemn ceremony
    1. serious or grave a solemn face
    2. deeply earnest; very sincere a solemn oath
  4. very impressive or arousing feelings of awe because of its great importance or seriousness a solemn occasion
  5. somber because dark in color

Etymology: ME solemne < OFr < L sollemnis, sollennis, yearly, annual, hence religious, solemn (from assoc. with annual religious festivals) < sollus, all, entire < Oscan, akin to L salvus (see safe) + ? annus, year

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

solemn Synonyms

solemn

modif.

  1. Appearing serious or thoughtful

    grave, serious, sober, portentous, earnest, intense, deliberate, heavy, austere, somber, dignified, staid, sedate, no-nonsense, awe-inspiring, pensive, brooding, moody, grim, stern, thoughtful, reflective.

    Antonyms happy*, gay*, lighthearted. *

  2. Impressive

    imposing, ceremonious, overwhelming; see grand 2.

  3. Sacred

    religious, holy, hallowed; see divine 2. See syn. study at serious.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

solemn Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • oath: You've taken a solemn oath of trust that can't be broken.

Modifying Another Word

  • rather: Shame about the rather solemn setting of ' Salve Regina ' that now ends Vespers.

Used with adjective complement

  • look: A busload of QPR fans passed us looking so solemn, you'd have thought they were on their way to a funeral.
solemn usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

solemn quotes

Sapping a solemn creed with solemn sneer.

-Rochdale

The day becomes more solemn and serene When noon is pastöthere is a harmony In autumn, and a lustre in its sky, Which through the summer is not heard or seen, As if it could not be, as if it had not been!

-Shelley, Percy Bysshe

The deep division of prodigious breasts, The solemn slope of mighty limbs asleep.

-Swinburne, Algernon Charles

solemn quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"solemn." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/solemn>

APA Style

solemn. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/solemn

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