solemnsol‧emn /ˈsɒləm $ ˈsɑː-/ ●○○ adjective 
a solemn expression Their faces suddenly grew solemn. a solemn procession of mourners► see thesaurus at serious2a 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.3performed in a very serious waysolemn ritual/ceremony—solemnly adverb
WORD ORIGINsolemn
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French solemne, from Latin solemnis ‘ceremonial, formal, solemn’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- solemn music
- Everyone stood respectfully, and looked solemn throughout the funeral service.
- The judge read the verdict in a clear and solemn voice.
- As the child subjected him to a solemn, no-nonsense appraisal, Ashley's heart began to hammer behind her ribs.
- At that point, the solemn political discussion between Eleanor and young Joe ended abruptly, and Eleanor hurried off to bed.
- Hence peace-makings were solemn and formal occasions, committing groups of people to restraint.
- His movements were solemn and precise.
- It was simple and quaint and the terrain around them was solemn and rugged.
- The occasion was a solemn one, and he wondered a little nervously how she would carry it off.
THESAURUSnot joking
not joking or laughing, or not pretending: · His voice sounded serious.· They seem to be serious about their relationship.
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.
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.
British English (also somber American English) 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.
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.
Longman Language Activatorbehaving in a serious way if someone says or does something in a serious way, they think that what they are saying or doing is important and should not be joked about: · All the other people in the office seemed to have a very serious attitude towards their work.serious about: · The band are only young, but they're very serious about their music.
to think that something is important, and spend a lot of time and effort on it: · I wish Dan would take his work more seriously.· She certainly takes her politics seriously -- she's always out at meetings.take life seriously (=think that everything in life is very important and serious): · He seemed much older than he was, and took life a little too seriously.
written quiet and very serious, especially because something important or worrying has happened: · Holmes looked grave, and stood deep in worried thought for a minute or two.· His expression became very grave when we told him what had happened.
very serious because of an important or sad occasion or ceremony: · Everyone stood respectfully, and looked solemn throughout the funeral service.· The judge read the verdict in a clear and solemn voice.
British /somber American sad, quiet, and serious because something unpleasant or worrying has happened or is going to happen: · They sat in somber silence.· The sun was shining brightly, but the mood was sombre.
serious and not smiling, because you are angry, upset, or worried about something: · She looked grim and upset, standing silently in the corner.· A grim-faced diplomat read out the declaration of war.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a solemn vow I’ll never be unfaithful again. I give you my solemn word.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1very serious and not happy, for example because something bad has happened or because you are at an important occasion: a solemn vow I’ll never be unfaithful again. I give you my solemn word. (=a very serious one)· There was a solemn ceremony in an ancient Roman church.
(=a very serious oath)· He swore a solemn oath never to tell.
· He did not want his funeral to be a sad and solemn occasion, but a celebration of his life.
· We will not forget. That is a solemn pledge.
· As governor, I made a solemn promise to defend the laws of the Republic.
(=a very serious vow, which you must keep)· He made a solemn vow that he would do everything he could to help her.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· That is my most solemn guarantee, no backing off.· I gave her my most solemn word of honor that I loved her.· Chancery was the oldest and most solemn part of the whole apparatus.· This therefore is a most solemn and prayer-filled moment.
· She had broken the very solemn promises she had made on her wedding day, of course.· She could hardly walk, she was undersized, and was very solemn.· Looking very solemn and Royal Academyish, I suddenly drew a fiendishly grinning devil playing a fiddle in the castle forecourt.· The description of the barge, and the people on it, is very solemn.
NOUN· She had broken the very solemn promises she had made on her wedding day, of course.
· All I gave was my solemn word.· I gave her my most solemn word of honor that I loved her.· What fine, solemn words these are!
a solemn expression Their faces suddenly grew solemn. a solemn procession of mourners► see thesaurus at serious2a 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.3performed in a very serious waysolemn ritual/ceremony—solemnly adverb