solemnity
gb/səlˈɛmnəti/ us/səlˈɛmnəti/
C1
English
~ 26900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
property
1
serious and dignified manner or mood
A serious and important feeling or style, without jokes or smiling, in how someone acts or in how an event feels.
Usage pattern:
the solemnity of [an event/situation]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse ‘solemnity’ with ‘ceremony’. ‘Solemnity’ is mainly the serious mood or style, while ‘ceremony’ is the actual event or set of actions. Another mistake is using *solemnity* to describe a person directly; in most cases you say ‘his solemnity’ or ‘her solemnity’ rather than ‘he is solemnity’.
Synonyms
seriousness (More general and common; lacks the strong sense of ceremony or dignity that ‘solemnity’ often has.)
|
gravity (Suggests a heavy, important seriousness, often in formal or urgent situations, similar in tone to ‘solemnity’.)
|
earnestness (Focuses more on sincere feeling and strong intention, less on dignified or ceremonial style.)
Antonyms
lightheartedness (Emphasizes a happy, relaxed, and playful mood, the opposite of the serious tone in ‘solemnity’.)
|
levity (Shows a lack of seriousness, especially where seriousness is expected, directly contrasting with ‘solemnity’.)
Collocations
with great solemnity
|the solemnity of the occasion
|an air of solemnity
|a sense of solemnity
|break the solemnity
|maintain the solemnity
Themes
emotions
|communication
|social_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The solemnity of the funeral made everyone speak in hushed voices.
- Despite the solemnity of the ceremony, she felt a quiet sense of joy.
- His sudden joke broke the solemnity of the meeting and made people laugh.
- The judge spoke with solemnity as she announced the sentence.
- Candles and soft music added to the solemnity of the memorial service.
Learner examples
- The solemnity of the room made the children very quiet.
- There was a feeling of solemnity during the minute of silence.
- He spoke with great solemnity about the dead soldiers.
- The church was full of solemnity on that day.
Noun
formal
C2
event
2
formal or religious ceremony
A serious and formal ceremony, often religious or official, with special rules and actions.
Usage pattern:
the solemnities of [event/occasion]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use ‘solemnity’ in the singular to mean ‘a ceremony’ in general. In this sense, English more often uses the plural ‘solemnities’, especially in religious or legal writing (e.g. ‘the solemnities of marriage’).
Synonyms
ceremony (More general and common; can be serious or light, while ‘solemnities’ are specifically serious and formal.)
|
rite (Often religious and formal like ‘solemnity’, but may focus more on the fixed actions than on the mood.)
|
ritual (Stresses repeated formal actions; ‘solemnities’ implies both the actions and the serious, dignified tone.)
Antonyms
informal gathering (A casual meeting without fixed rules or serious tone, opposite to the structured and serious nature of solemnities.)
Collocations
the solemnities of marriage
|religious solemnities
|state solemnities
|wedding solemnities
|the Easter solemnities
Themes
religion
|ceremony
|law
Examples
- They were married with all the solemnities of the church.
- The city marked the day with official solemnities at the war memorial.
- The Easter solemnities drew thousands of worshippers to the cathedral.
- Ancient texts describe the solemnities that followed the king’s coronation.
- Visitors are welcome to observe the solemnities but are asked to remain silent.
Learner examples
- The wedding was held with church solemnities.
- Many people came to the Easter solemnities.
- The state solemnities for the president were on live TV.
- He studied the old religious solemnities of the country.
Grammar
Dictionary form
solemnity
IPA
GB/səlˈɛmnəti/
US/səlˈɛmnəti/
Syllables & stress
solem - nity (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (nity)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: solemnity
- Plural: solemnities, solemnity
Word family
Expressions
the solemnity of the occasion
1/ðə səlˈɛmnəti əv ðə ɔkˈeɪʒən/
fixed phrase
formal
serious mood of an event
The serious and important feeling that a special event has.
Examples
- Nothing should disturb the solemnity of the occasion.
- Guests were asked to dress formally to respect the solemnity of the occasion.
with due solemnity
1/wˈɪθ dˈu səlˈɛmnəti/
fixed phrase
formal
with proper seriousness and dignity
In a serious and respectful way that is suitable for the situation.
Examples
- The award was presented with due solemnity.
- The court marked the anniversary with due solemnity and respect.
with great solemnity
1/wˈɪθ ɡɹˈeɪt səlˈɛmnəti/
fixed phrase
formal
in a very serious way
In a very serious and formal way, without smiling or joking.
Examples
- She read the names of the dead with great solemnity.
- The mayor, with great solemnity, opened the new memorial.