solemnly

[sol-uhm-lee]

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of solemnly¹

solemn ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

“She will be mad at us,” Cassiopeia declared solemnly.

Read more on Literature

They solemnly promised to keep the secret, but naturally, the children suspected that this was the same surprise meant for Lady Constance.

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“Mr. Harley-Dickinson, I must be frank with you,” she said solemnly.

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"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy and consulates in Japan solemnly remind Chinese citizens to avoid travelling to Japan in the near future."

Read more on Barron's

In the end, the fans booed and the stands solemnly emptied and the team moved to the verge of arguably the biggest disappointment in franchise history.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• earnestly 
• soberly www.thesaurus.com