gravity
gb/ɡɹˈævɪti/ us/ɡɹˈævɪti/
B1
Angličtina
~ 7800
Významy
0 významů
Podstatné jméno
B1
entity
1
force that makes things fall
The force that pulls things down toward the ground and gives them weight, especially on Earth and other planets.
Vzorec užití:
the gravity of [planet/object]
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with the idea of seriousness and say things like *"the gravity of my exam"* when they mean *"the seriousness of my exam"*. Another common mistake is adding an article and saying *"the gravity pulls it down"* instead of simply *"gravity pulls it down"*, because gravity is usually treated as an uncountable noun.
Synonyma
gravitation (More technical and formal; used especially in physics to describe the general phenomenon of masses attracting each other.)
|
gravitational force (Explicitly highlights that gravity is a force; mainly used in scientific or educational contexts.)
Antonyma
weightlessness (Describes the condition in which the effects of gravity are not felt, such as in space.)
Kolokace
Earth's gravity
|the force of gravity
|the law of gravity
|zero gravity
|under gravity
|center of gravity
Témata
science
|space
|physics
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Příklady
- On the Moon, gravity is much weaker than on Earth, so astronauts can jump higher.
- Gravity keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun.
- If there were no gravity, objects would not fall when you dropped them.
- Engineers must calculate how gravity will affect the bridge's structure.
- In space stations, astronauts train to work in very low gravity.
Učební příklady
- Gravity makes an apple fall to the ground.
- The ball drops because of Earth's gravity.
- Thanks to gravity, we stay on the ground and do not float away.
- In space, people feel almost no gravity.
- Because of gravity, heavy things are harder to lift.
Podstatné jméno
formal
B2
property
2
seriousness or great importance
A strong kind of seriousness and importance, especially when something bad or difficult may happen.
Vzorec užití:
the gravity of [situation/problem/decision]
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes use *gravity* in very casual situations where *seriousness* is more natural, which can sound too strong or formal, e.g. *"I don’t think you see the gravity of this homework"*. Another mistake is using *gravity* with the wrong preposition, such as *"gravity about the situation"* instead of the correct *"gravity of the situation"*.
Synonyma
seriousness (More common in everyday speech and slightly less formal; otherwise very close in meaning.)
|
severity (Emphasizes how bad or harsh a situation is, not just how important it is.)
Antonyma
triviality (Suggests that something is unimportant or minor, the opposite of grave or serious importance.)
Kolokace
the gravity of the situation
|the gravity of the crisis
|underestimate the gravity
|recognize the gravity
|the full gravity
|political gravity
Témata
emotions
|society
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Příklady
- Many people did not understand the gravity of the pandemic until hospitals became overwhelmed.
- The judge spoke about the gravity of the offense before announcing the sentence.
- Scientists warned governments about the gravity of climate change.
- Her voice suddenly changed, reflecting the gravity of what she was about to say.
- They failed to grasp the full gravity of signing that contract.
Učební příklady
- He did not see the gravity of his mistake.
- The doctor explained the gravity of her illness.
- We must understand the gravity of this problem.
- The teacher spoke with gravity about cheating on exams.
- They slowly realized the gravity of the accident.
Podstatné jméno
formal
C1
property
3
serious and dignified manner
A way of speaking or acting that is very serious and calm, and makes a person seem important or respected.
Vzorec užití:
[someone] speaks/acts with gravity
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes try to use *gravity* as an adjective and say *"he is very gravity"* instead of *"he has a certain gravity"* or *"he speaks with gravity"*. Another mistake is confusing this with *gravity* as a physical force and producing strange sentences like *"his gravity pulled the room down"* when they mean his serious manner changed the mood.
Synonyma
solemnity (Very close in meaning, but often used for serious, ceremonial, or religious situations.)
|
dignity (Focuses more on calm self-respect than on being serious, though they often overlap.)
Antonyma
playfulness (Suggests a light, fun, and relaxed manner, lacking the seriousness implied by gravity.)
Kolokace
with great gravity
|speak with gravity
|an air of gravity
|a certain gravity
|a face of gravity
|assume an air of gravity
Témata
emotions
|personality
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Příklady
- The principal addressed the students with gravity after the incident.
- He listened with gravity, nodding slowly before he answered.
- There was a certain gravity in her expression that made everyone fall silent.
- Despite his usual jokes, he spoke with unexpected gravity at the funeral.
- The old judge carried himself with a quiet gravity that commanded respect.
Učební příklady
- The teacher spoke with gravity about the accident.
- Her face showed gravity when she gave us the news.
- He walked to the stage with gravity and calm steps.
- The leader’s gravity made the room quiet.
- We could feel the gravity in his voice.
Podstatné jméno
formal
C1
entity
4
strong attracting or pulling influence
A strong kind of pull or power that makes people or things move toward a place, person, or idea.
Vzorec užití:
the gravity of [place/idea/person] draws [someone/something]
Častá chyba:
This sense is often confused with the ‘seriousness’ meaning. Learners may read *"the center of political gravity"* and think it means *"the most serious political topic"*, when it actually refers to where political power or influence is focused.
Synonyma
pull (Less formal and more general; does not automatically suggest great power or importance.)
|
attraction (Neutral term for drawing power; lacks the metaphorical strength and weight suggested by gravity.)
Antonyma
repulsion (Suggests a force or influence that pushes people or things away, the opposite of an attracting gravity.)
Kolokace
economic gravity
|political gravity
|cultural gravity
|the gravity of power
|the gravity of the capital
|shift in gravity
Témata
politics
|economy
|society
|business
|core_vocabulary
Příklady
- The economic gravity of the big cities continues to draw young workers away from rural areas.
- Over the last decade, the center of political gravity has shifted toward smaller parties.
- Silicon Valley still has a powerful gravity for tech startups.
- The cultural gravity of the capital makes it hard for smaller regions to keep their artists.
- As the company grew, its gravity in the market became impossible to ignore.
Učební příklady
- The city has a strong gravity for young people.
- The center of political gravity moved to the left.
- Big companies create a gravity that pulls small companies to them.
- The cultural gravity of Hollywood attracts many actors.
- As the town grows, its gravity in the area becomes stronger.
Gramatika
Slovníkový tvar
gravity
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈævɪti/
US/ɡɹˈævɪti/
Slabiky a přízvuk
grav - ity (2 slabiky)
Stress on 1st syllable (grav)
Tvary slova
Noun
- Base: gravity
- Plural: gravities, gravity
Příbuzná slova
Forms
gravities
noun
Core family
gravitational
adjective C1
Related words
gravitate
verb B2
gravitation
noun C1
Advanced or less common
gravitationally
adverb C1
Výrazy
center of gravity
1/sˈɛntɚ əv ɡɹˈævɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
point where weight is balanced
The point in an object or body where its weight is balanced, so it does not fall over if supported there.
Příklady
- Designers lowered the car’s center of gravity to improve its stability.
- Gymnasts learn how to control their center of gravity during difficult moves.
law of gravity
1/lˈɔ əv ɡɹˈævɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
scientific rule about gravity
The scientific rule that explains how gravity works and how strongly objects pull on each other.
Příklady
- Newton’s work on the law of gravity changed science forever.
- Children learn about the law of gravity in school by dropping objects from different heights.
the gravity of the situation
1/ðə ɡɹˈævɪti əv ðə sˌɪt͡ʃuˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
how serious a situation is
How very serious and important a situation is, especially when something bad may happen.
Příklady
- It was only when the hospital filled up that they understood the gravity of the situation.
- The manager called a meeting to explain the gravity of the situation to the staff.
zero gravity
1/zˈɪɹoʊ ɡɹˈævɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
condition with almost no gravity
A state where gravity cannot be felt, so people and objects float, like inside a spacecraft.
Příklady
- Astronauts train in special pools to prepare for working in zero gravity.
- In zero gravity, even a drop of water floats in the air.
defy gravity
1/dɪfˈaɪ ɡɹˈævɪti/
idiom
seem not affected by gravity
To move or stay in a way that looks like the force of gravity does not affect you, often used for surprising movements or designs.
Příklady
- The dancer’s leap seemed to defy gravity.
- Those skyscrapers look like they defy gravity.
defy gravity
2/dɪfˈaɪ ɡɹˈævɪti/
idiom
do something that seems impossible
To do something that seems impossible or very surprising, as if the normal rules of the world do not apply.
Příklady
- The dancer seemed to defy gravity with her long, floating jumps.
- Their tiny startup defied gravity and became a global company in just two years.