gravitas

American  

[grav-i-tahs, ‑-tas] / ˈgræv ɪˌtɑs, ‑ˌtæs /

noun

1. seriousness or sobriety, as of conduct or speech.

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gravitas British  

/ ˈɡrævɪˌtæs /

noun

1. seriousness, solemnity, or importance

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Etymology

Origin of gravitas

First recorded in 1920–25; from Latin gravitās; gravity

Example Sentences

While the documentary doesn’t spend much time addressing his re-election, it provides more than enough context to the gravitas of his work to ensure that Black people were allowed to vote.

From Salon

“She’s such a deep, emotional, intuitive actress who was in these teen movies where the depth and gravitas of her soul weren’t able to fully express themselves,” Fogel says.

From Los Angeles Times

Famed for predicting the housing market crash and a vocal skeptic of the AI boom, Michael Burry is now invoking one of the world’s most famous investors to add gravitas to his argument.

From MarketWatch

The promo seemed like an odd choice given how the network evening news anchor has traditionally been a position requiring gravitas and comforting familiarity for its habit-driven audience.

From Los Angeles Times

Far from an indignity, I thought it lent a certain gravitas otherwise absent from my banal demeanor.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dignity
• gravity
• sobriety