solemn

[sol-uhm]

adjective

1. grave, sober, or mirthless, as a person, the face, speech, tone, or mood.

   solemn remarks.

   Synonyms: serious, unsmiling
   Antonyms: humorous

2. gravely or somberly impressive; causing serious thoughts or a grave mood.

   solemn music.

   Synonyms: stately, imposing, august
   Antonyms: trivial

3. serious or earnest.

   solemn assurances.

4. characterized by dignified or serious formality, as proceedings; of a formal or ceremonious character.

   a solemn occasion.

   Synonyms: ceremonial, ritual

5. made in due legal or other express form, as a declaration or agreement.

   a solemn oath.

6. marked or observed with religious rites; having a religious character.

   a solemn holy day.

   Synonyms: sacred, devotional

7. uttered, prescribed, or made according to religious forms.

   a solemn ban on sacrifice.

solemn

/ ˈsɒləm /

adjective

1. characterized or marked by seriousness or sincerity

   a solemn vow

2. characterized by pomp, ceremony, or formality

3. serious, glum, or pompous

4. inspiring awe

   a solemn occasion

5. performed with religious ceremony

6. gloomy or sombre

   solemn colours

Other Word Forms

• solemnly adverb
• solemnness noun
• oversolemn adjective
• oversolemnness noun
• semisolemn adjective
• semisolemnness noun
• supersolemn adjective
• supersolemnness noun
• unsolemn adjective
• unsolemnness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of solemn¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English solem(p)ne, from Old French or directly from Late Latin sōlennis, sōlempnis, Latin sōlemnis, variant of sollemnis “consecrated, holy,” derivative of sollus “whole”

Word History and Origins

Origin of solemn¹

C14: from Old French solempne, from Latin sōllemnis appointed, perhaps from sollus whole

Synonym Study

See grave ².

Example Sentences

And it happened in Crumpsall last Thursday, on the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar.

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Tonight, all by myself, I engaged in a solemn ritual that was probably long overdue.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Content under the #RaptureTok ranges from solemn warnings to earnest prep, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek advice.

Read more on Salon

However, for Husam Zumlot, the UK representative of the Palestinian Authority, "today is not just about Palestine, but about Britain's fulfilment of a solemn responsibility".

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On this solemn but beautiful New York day and after more than two years in waiting, Gustavo Dudamel took charge, at least in practice, of the New York Philharmonic.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dignified 
• earnest 
• funereal 
• glum 
• intense 
• pensive 
• portentous 
• reflective 
• sedate 
• sober 
• somber 
• stern 
• thoughtful 
• weighty