Home > Antonyms > Antonyms for solemn

Antonyms for solemn

Grammar : Adj
Spell : sol-uhm
Phonetic Transcription : ˈsɒl əm

Definition of solemn

Origin :
  • mid-14c., "performed with due religious ceremony or reverence, sacred, devoted to religious observances," also, of a vow, etc., "made under religious sanction, binding," from Old French solempne (12c., Modern French solennel) and directly from Latin sollemnis "annual, established, religiously fixed, formal, ceremonial, traditional," perhaps related to sollus "whole" (see safe (adj.)).
  • "The explanation that Latin sollemnis was formed from sollus whole + annus year is not considered valid" [Barnhart], but some assimilation via folk-etymology is possible. In Middle English also "famous, important; imposing, grand," hence Chaucer's friar, a ful solempne man. Meaning "marked by seriousness or earnestness" is from late 14c.; sense of "fitted to inspire devout reflection" is from c.1400. Related: Solemnly.
  • adj quiet, serious
  • adj impressive, sacred
Example sentences :
  • He has obtained from his son a solemn promise never to speak to me of marriage.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • The old farmer had believed the solemn words of the impostor.
  • Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon
  • My promise is spoken; yours unspoken, but not the less real and solemn.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • Harriett felt nothing but a strange, solemn excitement and exaltation.
  • Extract from : « Life and Death of Harriett Frean » by May Sinclair
  • The solemn mysteries have their place, but it is one of climax.
  • Extract from : « The Conquest of Fear » by Basil King
  • Mart met him at the door, a look of solemn determination on her face.
  • Extract from : « Ester Ried Yet Speaking » by Isabella Alden
  • It is a solemn fact that in this greater excitement he had actually forgotten it!
  • Extract from : « Ester Ried Yet Speaking » by Isabella Alden
  • But among all these frothy fabrications there lay a solemn warning.
  • Extract from : « The Story of the Malakand Field Force » by Sir Winston S. Churchill
  • Here is no place for reflection, for quiet or solemn thought.
  • Extract from : « The Story of the Malakand Field Force » by Sir Winston S. Churchill
  • I wuz only statin' the solemn facts and truth of the matter.
  • Extract from : « Samantha Among the Brethren, Part 3. » by Josiah Allen's Wife (Marietta Holley)

Synonyms for solemn

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019