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

solemn Related Forms
sol′·emnly adverb sol′·emn·ness noun
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.

solemn Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • oath: You've taken a solemn oath of trust that can't be broken.
  • vow: The answer isn't an elaborate new system, or a solemn vow to start tomorrow.
  • procession: Then, entered, or exited, should I say, the solemn procession of the Choir to the crossing.
  • affirmation: In 1695 a bill was passed in Parliament allowing the solemn affirmation of a Quaker, instead of an oath.
  • stillness: The whispering ceased, and the voices and the sounds, anal a solemn stillness followed.
  • pledge: A solemn pledge to keep in ten years the promises Tony Blair has broken over the last four years.

Modifying Another Word

  • rather: Shame about the rather solemn setting of ' Salve Regina ' that now ends Vespers.
  • very: There is a mystery - a very solemn mystery.
  • so: TJ When things are so solemn, as these tapestries are, they do get a bit surreal don't they?
  • too: Do not let us be too solemn on the business.
  • not: They are memorable occasions with first-rate speakers, properly run but not solemn.
  • supposedly: There is comedy too, to alleviate the weight of supposedly solemn realism.

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.
  • become: The creatures did not look pleasant or friendly, to be sure, and the shaggy man's donkey face became solemn, indeed.
  • seem: Does the word " rite " seem too solemn?
  • stand: Ode to the Grave The graveyard stood solemn, silent, dignified yet cool and gloomy on top of a solitary hill.
  • sound: She sometimes sounds solemn in the wrong places whilst overdoing the madness in an all too hysterical voice which the words don't demand.
  • take: After three years in simple vows the young nun may ask to take solemn vows which bind her for life.
solemn Quotes

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

Sapping a solemn creed with solemn sneer.

—Rochdale

A solemn gladness even crowned The purple brows of Olivet.

—Tennyson

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

—Swinburne, Algernon Charles