gravity
gb/ɡɹˈævɪti/ us/ɡɹˈævɪti/
B1
Inglese
~ 7800
Accezioni
0 accezioni
Sostantivo
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.
Schema d'uso:
the gravity of [planet/object]
Errore comune:
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.
Sinonimi
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.)
Contrari
weightlessness (Describes the condition in which the effects of gravity are not felt, such as in space.)
Collocazioni
Earth's gravity
|the force of gravity
|the law of gravity
|zero gravity
|under gravity
|center of gravity
Temi
science
|space
|physics
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Sostantivo
formal
B2
property
2
seriousness or great importance
A strong kind of seriousness and importance, especially when something bad or difficult may happen.
Schema d'uso:
the gravity of [situation/problem/decision]
Errore comune:
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"*.
Sinonimi
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.)
Contrari
triviality (Suggests that something is unimportant or minor, the opposite of grave or serious importance.)
Collocazioni
the gravity of the situation
|the gravity of the crisis
|underestimate the gravity
|recognize the gravity
|the full gravity
|political gravity
Temi
emotions
|society
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Sostantivo
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.
Schema d'uso:
[someone] speaks/acts with gravity
Errore comune:
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.
Sinonimi
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.)
Contrari
playfulness (Suggests a light, fun, and relaxed manner, lacking the seriousness implied by gravity.)
Collocazioni
with great gravity
|speak with gravity
|an air of gravity
|a certain gravity
|a face of gravity
|assume an air of gravity
Temi
emotions
|personality
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Sostantivo
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.
Schema d'uso:
the gravity of [place/idea/person] draws [someone/something]
Errore comune:
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.
Sinonimi
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.)
Contrari
repulsion (Suggests a force or influence that pushes people or things away, the opposite of an attracting gravity.)
Collocazioni
economic gravity
|political gravity
|cultural gravity
|the gravity of power
|the gravity of the capital
|shift in gravity
Temi
politics
|economy
|society
|business
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Grammatica
Forma base
gravity
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈævɪti/
US/ɡɹˈævɪti/
Sillabe e accento
grav - ity (2 sillabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (grav)
Forme flesse
Noun
- Base: gravity
- Plural: gravities, gravity
Famiglia di parole
Forms
gravities
noun
Core family
gravitational
adjective C1
Related words
gravitate
verb B2
gravitation
noun C1
Advanced or less common
gravitationally
adverb C1
Espressioni
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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.