Someone or something that is solemn is very serious rather than cheerful or humorous.
His solemn little face broke into smiles.
He looked solemn.
Synonyms: serious, earnest, grave, sober More Synonyms of solemn
solemnlygraded adverb [ADVERB with verb]
Her listeners nodded solemnly.
solemnity (səlemnɪti)uncountable noun
The setting for this morning's signing ceremony matched the solemnity of the occasion. [+ of]
Synonyms: seriousness, gravity, formality, grandeur More Synonyms of solemn
Synonyms: ritual, proceedings, ceremony, rite More Synonyms of solemn
Synonyms: sacredness, sanctity More Synonyms of solemn
2. adjective
A solemn promise or agreement is one that you make in a very formal, sincere way.
...a solemn pledge that he would never remarry.
solemnlygraded adverb [ADVERB with verb]
I was solemnly informed that the funeral would take place the next day.
More Synonyms of solemn
solemn in British English
(ˈsɒləm)
adjective
1.
characterized or marked by seriousness or sincerity
a solemn vow
2.
characterized by pomp, ceremony, or formality
3.
serious, glum, or pompous
4.
inspiring awe
a solemn occasion
5.
performed with religious ceremony
6.
gloomy or sombre
solemn colours
Derived forms
solemnly (ˈsolemnly)
adverb
solemnness (ˈsolemnness) or solemness (ˈsolemness)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French solempne, from Latin sōllemnis appointed, perhaps from sollus whole
solemn in American English
(ˈsɑləm)
adjective
1.
a.
observed or done according to ritual or tradition
said esp. of religious holidays, rites, etc.
b.
sacred in character
2.
according to strict form; formal
a solemn ceremony
3.
a.
serious or grave
a solemn face
b.
deeply earnest; very sincere
a solemn oath
4.
very impressive or arousing feelings of awe because of its great importance or seriousness
a solemn occasion
5.
somber because dark in color
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈserious
Derived forms
solemnly (ˈsolemnly)
adverb
solemnness (ˈsolemnness)
noun
Word origin
ME solemne < OFr < L sollemnis, sollennis, yearly, annual, hence religious, solemn (from assoc. with annual religious festivals)< sollus, all, entire < Oscan, akin to L salvus (see safe) + ? annus, year
Examples of 'solemn' in a sentence
solemn
Her face was so solemn that he almost whispered his answer.
Frances Hodgson Burnett The Secret Garden (1911)
The solemn ceremony inevitably gave him another idea.
Julia Keay ALEXANDER THE CORRECTOR (2004)
Their faces become solemn, almost stiffened.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He was sitting at his desk wearing heavy reading glasses, his face solemn.
John Cornwell Seminary Boy (2006)
Serious rather than solemn, he brightens a room when he enters it.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
It was a solemn, faintly religious experience.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
One was solemn, the other fizzed like a firework.
Hyland, Paul Indian Balm - Travels in the Southern Subcontinent (1994)
It is like visiting a working monastery, and a solemn one at that.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The archbishop's comments were a reflection in a solemn ceremony on the tragedy of war.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In a solemn ceremony pupils formally thank their teachers for their guidance, knowledge and understanding.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
WE had the pomp and solemn ceremony of the wedding.
The Sun (2011)
He installed a granite gravestone engraved on one side with solemn portraits, and on the other with a tender group picture.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We remember the strange mystery of this ritual from childhood, and how the people were so solemn and so serious about this.
Christianity Today (2000)
Set mostly in twilight, the show does a decent job of implying the solemn religious atmospheres for which most of this art was made.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He said: 'Something just as solemn but a little more simple might be better.
The Sun (2013)
A solemn vow, the most immense assertion of the will that any person makes in the course of a lifetime.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Cherry is disarmingly open with her emotions: warm and impulsive one moment, solemn and thoughtful the next.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
solemn
British English: solemn ADJECTIVE
Someone or something that is solemn is very serious rather than cheerful or amusing.
His solemn little face broke into smiles.
American English: solemn
Brazilian Portuguese: solene
Chinese: > 严肃的人
European Spanish: solemne
French: grave
German: ernst
Italian: grave
Japanese: 厳粛な
Korean: 엄숙한
European Portuguese: solene
Latin American Spanish: solemne
All related terms of 'solemn'
solemn vow
a vow made with canonical effects stricter than those of a → simple vow : e. g ., a solemn vow of chastity , broken by attempting marriage while the vow is still in effect, makes the marriage both illicit and invalid
solemn vows
the vows of poverty , chastity , and obedience when taken as a perpetual and more solemn commitment
Solemn (High) Mass
a highly ceremonial Mass with parts of the text sung by the celebrant , with a deacon and subdeacon assisting at the ceremonies , and with choir singing and organ music
Solemn League and Covenant
any of the bonds entered into by Scottish Presbyterians to defend their religion, esp one in 1638 ( National Covenant ) and one of 1643 ( Solemn League and Covenant )
covenant
A covenant is a formal written agreement between two or more people or groups of people which is recognized in law.