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

Every four years the people as a whole make a solemn national decision as to the person whom they trust to make these prudential judgments.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Old and young, many of their faces solemn, prayed together inside, where even the minbar, the imam's raised platform, seemed intact.

Read more on Barron's

Soon, we would raise our right hands and swear the Oath of Allegiance to the United States in a ceremony that is known as both solemn and celebratory.

Read more on BBC

In a 1943 self-portrait in oil, he locks eyes with the viewer, the determined look on his face evidence of the solemn responsibility he felt to be an artistic voice for the oppressed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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