Word
solemn
US/ˈsɑɫəm/
UK/sˈɒləm/
Definition
adj. very serious and formal. You use this to describe someone who is not smiling or an event that is quiet and respectful.
adj. characterised by deep sincerity, formality, or gravity. Often describes facial expressions, ceremonies, or promises that are serious and dignified.
Examples
“The judge spoke in a solemn voice.”
“The crowd fell silent as the soldiers began the solemn ceremony at the memorial.”
“The president took a solemn oath to uphold the constitution, aware that the eyes of the entire nation were fixed upon him during the transition of power.”
Examples
simple
“The judge spoke in a solemn voice.”
contextual
“The crowd fell silent as the soldiers began the solemn ceremony at the memorial.”
complex
“The president took a solemn oath to uphold the constitution, aware that the eyes of the entire nation were fixed upon him during the transition of power.”
Usage
Typically used to describe people, events, or spoken promises; often follows linking verbs like 'remain' or 'look'.
Real-World Examples
“He wears a large cross around his neck, and has his finger held up, with a solemn facial expression.” “At the core of the celebration and pageantry is a solemn, religious ceremony, during which the sovereign is anointed, blessed and consecrated by the archbishop.” “Then, in a spectacle not seen for generations, her coffin - on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy, drawn by 142 sailors - was taken in a solemn procession to Westminster Abbey.” “It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.” Etymology
From Middle English solempne, solemne (“performed with religious ceremony or reverence; devoted to religious observances, sacred; ceremonious, formal; of a vow: made under a religious sanction, binding; religious celebration, celebration of a feast day; famous, well-known; important; grand, imposing; awe-inspiring, impressive; grave, serious; dignified; enunciated or held formally”) [and other forms], from Old French solempne, solemne (“serious, solemn”) [and other forms], or from its etymon Late Latin sōlempnis, sōlennis, from Latin sōlemnis, from sollemnis (“appointed, established, fixed; common, customary, ordinary, ritual, traditional, usual; ceremonial, religious, solemn; festive; annual, yearly”) [and other forms]. The further etymology is uncertain; sollus (“entire, whole”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European solh₂- (“whole”)) + epulum (“banquet, feast”) (in the sense of a ritual; perhaps ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₁ed- (“to eat”)) has been suggested.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/solemn