gravitas
[grav-i-tahs, ‐tas]
- seriousness or sobriety, as of conduct or speech.
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Origin of gravitas
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for gravitas
Contemporary Examples
Nobody believes in the dignity and gravitas of American government.
All the moralizing and gravitas that accompanies a star player being arrested should be viewed as a form of Kabuki theater.
Later in a statement, Moonves praised Letterman for “wit, gravitas, and brilliance unique in the history of our medium.”
But some presidents grow stronger rhetorically in the job as the gravitas of the office lends depth to their words.
Lee, an ex-BBC defense correspondent, says the couple do not have the "gravitas" to be anything other than celebrities.
William and Kate Are Just Celebrities, And George Won't Ever Be King Says British HistorianTom Sykes
January 23, 2014
gravitas
- seriousness, solemnity, or importance
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Word Origin
C20: from Latin gravitās weight, from gravis heavy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for gravitas
n.
1924, from Latin gravitas "weight, heaviness;" figuratively, of persons, "dignity, presence, influence" (see gravity). A word that became useful when gravity acquired a primarily scientific meaning.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper