Word of the day · 6 August 2026
solemn
/ˈsɒləm/
adjective
Formal, serious and dignified, often for ceremonies or grave moments.
In a sentence
- A solemn hush fell when the names were read.
- They made a solemn promise to return each summer.
- The judge's solemn instructions left no doubt about the charge.
In an image
Origin
From Latin sollemnis (annual, ceremonial, religiously fixed) via Old French.
History
Solemn first marked rites held at set times with religious force. English kept the ceremonial sense and added everyday seriousness. Courts, vows and memorials still call for solemn tone. Overuse can make ordinary talk sound heavy, so the word works best when the stakes are real.
Nearby words
grave · ceremonial · earnest
Weight of occasion without room for cheap jokes.