solemnity — the state or quality of being formal and dignified; gravity or earnestness of manner, speech, or expression
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the state or quality of being formal and dignified; gravity or earnestness of manner, speech, or expression
Pronunciation (IPA): /səˈlemnəti/
Example Sentences
- The judge spoke with such solemnity that even the chatty lawyer fell silent.
- The graduation ceremony proceeded with appropriate solemnity.
- His attempt to eat pizza with solemnity during the business dinner was quite amusing.
solemnity
NOUN[/səˈlemnəti/]
the state or quality of being formal and dignified; gravity or earnestness of manner, speech, or expression

The cathedral fell silent with solemnity as the coffin slowly passed by.

Solemnity meets gravity, then finds levity
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from Latin sollemnis, meaning 'recurring annually' or 'religious in nature.' In ancient Rome, the term referred to religious ceremonies and state occasions that were invariably conducted with grave dignity and ceremonial grandeur.
Breakdown
sollemn- (from Latin sollemnis, religious or ceremonial) + -ity (suffix denoting a state, condition, or quality).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The judge spoke with such solemnity that even the chatty lawyer fell silent.”
“The graduation ceremony proceeded with appropriate solemnity.”
“His attempt to eat pizza with solemnity during the business dinner was quite amusing.”
“The solemnity of the memorial service was deeply moving.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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