Solemnity Meaning
/səˈlɛmnɪti/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe quality of being deeply serious and sober or solemn.
nounAn instance or example of solemn behavior; a rite or ceremony performed with reverence.
Sentence Examples
The ceremony was conducted with a great sense of solemnity.
Solemnity is the state of being serious and formal in manner.
The priest spoke with great solemnity during the funeral service.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ of the occasion was felt by everyone as the national anthem played.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The deep ____ of the memorial service moved many of the attendees to tears as they remembered.
Word Origin & History
From solemn + -ity, from Middle English solemnity (“observance of formality and ceremony”), frequently in the phrases in solemnity, with solemnity, which from Old French solemnite, from Latin sollemnitās, from sollemnis. (Compare solemn.)
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The stateliness and gravity of the Spaniards shows itself in the solemnity of their language."
— 1711 August 14 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “FRIDAY, August 4, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 158; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume II, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC:
"These promises were often made with great solemnity and confirmed with an oath."
— 1754, Jonathan Edwards, An Inquiry into the Modern Prevailing Notions Respecting that Freedom of the Will which is supposed to be Essential to Moral Agency:
"There has been nothing in archæology that has made such a vivid impression on the popular imagination as Mr. Arthur Evans's excavations at Knossos. The Minotaur! the Labyrinth—such words do not suggest the solemnities of antiquarian research."
— 1907, Ronald M. Burrows, The Discoveries In Crete, page 1:
"Great was the cauſe; our old ſolemnities / From no blind zeal or fond tradition riſe, / But ſav'd from death, our Argives yearly pay / Theſe grateful honours to the God of Day."
— c. 1699 – 1703, Alexander Pope, “The First Book of Statius His Thebais”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintot, […], published 1717, →OCLC, page 337:
"This is the Man after God's Heart, […] by endeavouring, when he aſſiſted at thoſe Solemnities, to perform them with the utmoſt Attention, Alacrity, and holy Warmth of Mind, of which he was capable."
— 1698 December 1 (Gregorian calendar), Francis Atterbury, “The Usefulness of Church Musick, a Sermon Preached on St. Cecilia’s Day, in 1698”, in Thomas Moore, editor, Sermons on Several Occasions. […], volume II, London: […] George James […]; and sold by C. Davis, […], published 1734, →OCLC, pages 233–234:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ of the occasion was felt by everyone as the national anthem played.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The deep ____ of the memorial service moved many of the attendees to tears as they remembered.