solemn
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- formal, ceremonial, dignified, grand, grave, momentous, stately
- serious, earnest, grave, sedate, sober, staid

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Related Idioms: as solemn as an owl, grave as an undertaker
Related Words: full, plenary, august, grand, impressive, magnificent, majestic, overwhelming, ostentatious

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English Thesaurus: serious, solemn, grave, sombre, earnest, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

sol‧emn /ˈsɒləm $ ˈsɑː-/ adjective
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: solemne, from Latin solemnis 'ceremonial, formal, solemn']

1. very serious and not happy, for example because something bad has happened or because you are at an important occasion:
a solemn expression
Their faces suddenly grew solemn.
a solemn procession of mourners

2. a solemn promise is one that is made very seriously and with no intention of breaking it:
a solemn vow
I’ll never be unfaithful again. I give you my solemn word.

3. performed in a very serious way
solemn ritual/ceremony
—solemnly adverb

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

solemn
adj.
VERBS be, look, seem, sound She usually had a smile on her face, but now she looked solemn.
become, grow His face grew solemn.
remain
ADV. very He addressed them all in very solemn tones.
rather Her mood was rather solemn.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

serious not joking or laughing, or not pretending:
His voice sounded serious.
They seem to be serious about their relationship.
solemn very serious because of an important or sad occasion or ceremony:
My father looked solemn, the way grown-ups look at funerals.
The judge read the verdict in a solemn voice.
grave written quiet and very serious – used especially about the way people look when something important or worrying happens:
She consulted Doctor Staples and returned looking grave.
He listened with a grave expression on his face.
sombre British English (also somber American English) /ˈsɒmbə $ ˈsɑːmbər/ written sad, quiet, or serious because something unpleasant or worrying has happened or is going to happen:
They sat in sombre silence.
The meeting began in a sombre mood.
earnest very serious and sincere – often used about someone who is young and not very experienced:
He was a rather earnest-looking young man.
‘That’s wrong,’ she said, her voice sounding very earnest.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

serious very bad – used about problems, accidents, illnesses, or crimes:
Violent crime is a serious problem in and around the capital.
The boy was taken to hospital with serious head injuries.
Fortunately, the damage to the car was not serious.
severe very serious – used about problems, injuries, and illnesses:
He suffered severe injuries in a car crash.
The problem became so severe that they had to bring water in from other countries.
severe epilepsy
grave used about a situation that is very serious and worrying, especially because it is dangerous or seems likely to get worse:
A thick fog descended and I knew that we were in grave danger.
The situation is grave – war now seems inevitable.
acute used about an illness, problem, or situation that has become very serious or dangerous, and needs to be dealt with quickly:
She was taken to the hospital suffering from acute appendicitis.
In San Diego, the shortage of skilled workers is acute.
desperate used about a situation or problem that is very serious or dangerous, especially because a lot of people need urgent help:
The situation is desperate – people here need aid before the harsh winter sets in.
The hospital is full of people in desperate need of medical attention.
critical used about a situation that is very serious and dangerous and might get worse suddenly:
In 1991, the food supply situation became critical.
Eight people were killed and four are still in a critical condition.
life-threatening used about a situation, illness, or condition in which someone could die:
Her child had a potentially life-threatening illness.
The situation was not life-threatening, but it was very worrying.
be a matter of life and death spoken to be extremely serious – used when a situation is very urgent or important:
For people living with HIV, getting the right treatment is literally a matter of life and death.
solemn very serious because of an important or sad occasion or ceremony:
My father looked solemn, the way grown-ups look at funerals.
The judge read the verdict in a solemn voice.
sombre British English (also somber American English) /ˈsɒmbə $ ˈsɑːmbər/ written sad, quiet, or serious because something unpleasant or worrying has happened or is going to happen:
They sat in sombre silence.
The meeting began in a sombre mood.
earnest very serious and sincere – often used about someone who is young and not very experienced:
He was a rather earnest-looking young man.
‘That’s wrong,’ she said, her voice sounding very earnest.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲