solemnly

American  

[sol-uhm-lee] / ˈsɒl əm li /

adverb

1. in a grave, sober, or mirthless fashion.

   She took me aside, solemnly laid her hand on my shoulder, and said, “You must keep all this going when I'm gone.”

2. in a gravely or somberly impressive manner; in a way that causes serious thoughts.

   We are solemnly reminded by this week’s events just how prevalent domestic violence still is.

3. in a serious, earnest, formal, or ceremonious manner.

   We watched the new doctors solemnly pledge to always be loyal to the welfare of the patients who come under their care.

4. in a way that is legally binding, as a declaration or agreement.

   I do solemnly swear or affirm that I requested and returned the absentee ballot, and that I have not and will not vote more than one ballot in this election.

5. in a way that involves religious forms or rites.

   The chapel was solemnly consecrated on the 25th of June, 1951.

---

Other Word Forms

• oversolemnly adverb
• semisolemnly adverb
• supersolemnly adverb
• unsolemnly adverb

Etymology

Origin of solemnly

solemn ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Next to the happy-go-lucky Harry, William always came off as the earnest, somewhat colder older brother who seemed to march solemnly toward the inevitable fate of being burdened by the crown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

In 2023, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak solemnly vowed there would “be no chlorine-washed chicken and no hormone-treated beef on the U.K. market. Not now, not ever.”

From Slate • Feb. 13, 2026

There’s something we all solemnly acknowledge in November and then immediately forget by January: the side dishes are the real reason to show up.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

"Everything is true. There is no doubt that I did this," Yamagami said solemnly on the first day of his trial in October 2025.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

I nodded solemnly and tucked the envelope into my black knit bag.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Related Words

• earnestly
• soberly