Added 9 October 2026
solemn
/ˈsɒləm/ adjective
In Latin: solemnis Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about solemn at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Of or pertaining to religious ceremonies and rites; religious in nature; sacred.
- Characterized by or performed with appropriate or great ceremony or formality. Deeply serious and sombre; grave.
- Characterized by or performed with appropriate or great ceremony or formality.
Origin
From Middle English solempne, solemne (“performed with religious ceremony or reverence; devoted to religious observances, sacred; ceremonious, formal; of a vow: made under a religious sanction, binding; religious celebration, celebration of a feast day; famous, well-known; important; grand, imposing; awe-inspiring, impressive; grave, serious; dignified; enunciated or held formally”) [and other forms], from Old French solempne, solemne (“serious, solemn”) [and other forms], or from its etymon Late Latin sōlempnis, sōlennis, from Latin sōlemnis, from sollemnis (“appointed, established, fixed; common, customary, ordinary, ritual, traditional, usual; ceremonial, religious, solemn; festive; annua.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)