1
: very serious or formal: such as
a
: characterized by or causing a very serious and subdued attitude or atmosphere
a solemn gathering
a solemn moment
her solemn expression
a solemn reminder of the price of freedom
The mood in the room grew solemn.
The governor-general came out on stage and told us in gentle but solemn tones that the King had died and that we now had a Queen.—
Adrienne Clarkson, quoted in The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
Adrienne Clarkson, quoted in The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
b(1)
: done or made with the utmost sincerity
They made a solemn vow to love each other always.
(2)
: formal and binding especially in accordance with religion or law
They swore a solemn oath to uphold the Constitution.
… the photo of her in her black habit on the day she'd made her solemn vows.—Tricia Currans-Sheehan
Tricia Currans-Sheehan
c
: of a serious nature : sacred sense 5b
She considered it her solemn duty and responsibility.
d
: marked by the observance of established form or ceremony
specifically
: celebrated with full liturgical ceremony
dedicated the church with a solemn High Mass
2
b
: awe-inspiring, sublime
the solemn beauty of the snow-covered mountains
solemnly
adverb
solemnness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of solemn in a Sentence
The women running the office where I was given immunizations and completed more paperwork said they had a young friend back in the District who would love my British accent. They were going to call her this very instant, they teased, and then I'd have a companion for the evening. They also talked in more solemn tones about all the brave men and women who came through the base and then shipped off to Iraq.
—Willem Marx, Harper's, September 2006
Caesar was slaughtered in a sanctified space, his body was sacrosanct since he held the position of supreme pontiff, and his assassins had recently taken a solemn oath to protect his life with their own. Yet none of this seems to have figured prominently in the charges that were laid against his killers.
—Robert Garland, History Today, February 2004
The testimony may well have had serious judicial consequences, even lethal ones, but its style is so glum and flat-footed that it gives an impression not of solemn majesty but of grotesque comedy …
—Jonathan Ree, Times Literary Supplement, 13 Aug. 2004
To the vast majority of people in this Muslim nation of 145 million, Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance, not war and hatred. It requires that women dress modestly, but not make themselves invisible. Its mosques are solemn and silent, but its shrines are relaxed and colorful. Its liturgy says Islam should be spread by persuasion, not by force …
—Pamela Constable, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2001
He spoke in a solemn and thoughtful manner.
He wore a very solemn expression on his face.
He recited the poem in a solemn voice.
A solemn crowd gathered around the grave.
We made a solemn promise to love each other forever.
Willem Marx, Harper's, September 2006
Caesar was slaughtered in a sanctified space, his body was sacrosanct since he held the position of supreme pontiff, and his assassins had recently taken a solemn oath to protect his life with their own. Yet none of this seems to have figured prominently in the charges that were laid against his killers.
—Robert Garland, History Today, February 2004
The testimony may well have had serious judicial consequences, even lethal ones, but its style is so glum and flat-footed that it gives an impression not of solemn majesty but of grotesque comedy …
—Jonathan Ree, Times Literary Supplement, 13 Aug. 2004
To the vast majority of people in this Muslim nation of 145 million, Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance, not war and hatred. It requires that women dress modestly, but not make themselves invisible. Its mosques are solemn and silent, but its shrines are relaxed and colorful. Its liturgy says Islam should be spread by persuasion, not by force …
—Pamela Constable, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2001
He spoke in a solemn and thoughtful manner.
He wore a very solemn expression on his face.
He recited the poem in a solemn voice.
A solemn crowd gathered around the grave.
We made a solemn promise to love each other forever.
Recent Examples on the Web
The announcement was made earlier this month at a solemn ceremony at Department headquarters in Brooklyn to honor the lives lost.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2024
Their presence is solemn and, at the same time, festive, an echo of past times that rings with each step.
—Arath Zumaya Muñoz, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024
But the parents recognize their son has had a more solemn tangible legacy too — by helping strangers with his organ donations.
—Brian Brant, People.com, 27 Oct. 2024
But this event was solemn, filled with a low hum of voices as people remembered those who lost their lives.
—NBC News, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for solemn 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2024
Their presence is solemn and, at the same time, festive, an echo of past times that rings with each step.
—Arath Zumaya Muñoz, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024
But the parents recognize their son has had a more solemn tangible legacy too — by helping strangers with his organ donations.
—Brian Brant, People.com, 27 Oct. 2024
But this event was solemn, filled with a low hum of voices as people remembered those who lost their lives.
—NBC News, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for solemn
Dictionary Entries Near solemn
Cite this Entry
“Solemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solemn. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
solemn
adjective
sol·emn
ˈsäl-əm 
: being serious and dignified in appearance or behavior
solemnity
noun
sə-ˈlem-nət-ē
solemnly
adverb
ˈsäl-əm-lē
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