solemnity

[ suh-lem-ni-tee ]

/ səˈlɛm nɪ ti /

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See synonyms for: solemnity / solemnities on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural so·lem·ni·ties.

the state or character of being solemn; earnestness; gravity; impressiveness: the solemnity of a state funeral.

Often solemnities. a solemn observance, ceremonial proceeding, or special formality: the solemnities of Easter.

Law. a formality that renders an act or document valid.

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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

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Origin of solemnity

1250–1300; Middle English solempnete<Old French <Latin sollemnitās, equivalent to sollemnissolemn + -itās--ity

OTHER WORDS FROM solemnity

o·ver·so·lem·ni·ty, nounsem·i·so·lem·ni·ty, nounsu·per·so·lem·ni·ty, noun

Words nearby solemnity

sole custody, solely, solemn, Solemn High Mass, solemnify, solemnity, solemnize, Solemn League and Covenant, solemnly, Solemn Mass, solemn vow

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use solemnity in a sentence

The Agnalazaha residents wanted to make sure, however, that the Missouri group realized the solemnity of their promise.
The first step in using trees to slow climate change: Protect the trees we have|Susan Milius|July 13, 2021|Science News
Secrecy is a way of enveloping bonds of fellowship in solemnity and sacredness.
What the Freemasons Taught the World About the Power of Secrecy|John Dickie|August 13, 2020|Time
Ghusul is a ritual cleansing from head to toe, in this instance performed with all the solemnity of a trip to a water park.
ISIS Has a Bigger Coalition Than We Do|Michael Daly|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Roman Catholic Church refers to it as the “Solemnity of All Saints.”
The Meaning of "Halloween"|Dictionary.com|October 29, 2010|DAILY BEAST

He conducts this ceremony with the greatest solemnity, occasionally pronouncing these incantatory words, "Plate or shell, sah?"
Physiology of The Opera|John H. Swaby (AKA "Scrici")
The Briton, holding the documents in a pudgy hand, looked at the swift-gestured director with portentous solemnity.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Alfaretta's face assumed a look of great solemnity and a shiver of real fear ran over her.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
It is a part of religious worship, and claims that solemnity of mind that is due to every religious service.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
All things that could give solemnity to an observance unite to invest this with a devout character.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham

British Dictionary definitions for solemnity

solemnity

/ (səˈlɛmnɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the state or quality of being solemn

(often plural) solemn ceremony, observance, celebration, etc

law a formality necessary to validate a deed, act, contract, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

solemnity

Origin of solemnity

OTHER WORDS FROM solemnity

Words nearby solemnity

Words related to solemnity

How to use solemnity in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for solemnity