solemn

/ˈsɒləm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɑːləm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsä-ləm/ (ame, mw)

solemn — 形容詞

  • solemnpositive
  • more solemncomparative
  • most solemnsuperlative

1. showing a very serious attitude or mood, with no humour, playfulness, or smiling

1.形容詞B2
釋義

嚴肅的；凝重

表情或氣氛嚴肅、沒有笑容的

showing a very serious attitude or mood, with no humour, playfulness, or smiling — especially when something important, sad, or formal is happening

例句

The judge's face remained solemn as she read the verdict to the crowded courtroom.

法官在擁擠的法庭上宣讀裁決時，表情始終嚴肅而凝重。

solemn + face / facial expression

Kofi's voice turned solemn when he talked about losing his grandmother last winter.

Kofi 提起去年冬天失去祖母的事時，語氣變得凝重起來。

同義詞
  • serious

    more general; can describe any important matter without the specific sense of humourlessness

  • grave

    more intense; suggests something dangerous, worrying, or sad

  • somber

    darker in mood; often describes a dim, gloomy atmosphere in addition to seriousness

  • earnest

    sincere and serious but not necessarily without humour; focuses on genuine intention

反義詞
  • cheerful

    opposite in mood; full of happiness and light-heartedness

  • playful

    joking and light-hearted; the opposite of humourless

  • humorous

    intended to be funny rather than serious

文法句型

solemn + noun

be + solemn

用法筆記

Commonly describes a person's facial expression, voice, or the atmosphere of an event. Unlike 'serious', which can apply to any important matter, 'solemn' in this sense always implies a complete absence of lightness or humour.

常見錯誤

❌She told a solemn joke.
✅She told a serious joke.
💡solemn means without humour, so it cannot describe something intended to be funny.
❌He was in a solemn mood because his team won.
✅He was in a joyful mood because his team won.
💡solemn is used for sombre or thoughtful situations, not happy ones.

2. given or exchanged with complete sincerity and formal seriousness, so that you f

2.形容詞B2
釋義

鄭重；莊嚴

真誠而正式地承諾或立約的

given or exchanged with complete sincerity and formal seriousness, so that you fully mean to keep your word — used about promises, vows, oaths, and legal commitments

例句

The mayor made a solemn promise to build a new public library in the neighbourhood.

市長鄭重承諾要在社區裡蓋一座新的公立圖書館。

collocation: solemn promise

Vikram and Sofia exchanged solemn vows under an old oak tree during their wedding ceremony.

Vikram 和 Sofia 在婚禮上於一棵老橡樹下互許莊重的誓言。

collocation: solemn vows

同義詞
  • sincere

    focuses on genuine feeling without the formal or ceremonial aspect

  • formal

    emphasises proper procedure and ceremony, not necessarily inner sincerity

  • heartfelt

    deeply felt emotionally, but less formal and less legal in tone

  • binding

    focuses on legal or moral obligation; less about the attitude and more about enforceability

反義詞
  • casual

    informal and relaxed; the opposite of a formal commitment

  • insincere

    dishonest or not genuinely meant

  • frivolous

    not serious; lacking the gravity of a solemn commitment

文法句型

solemn + noun (promise, vow, oath, pledge, duty)

用法筆記

Frequently modifies nouns describing spoken or written commitments: promise, vow, oath, pledge, duty, agreement. Carries a stronger sense of moral or legal obligation than ordinary 'serious'. This sense is almost always used before the noun it modifies.

常見錯誤

❌He made a solemn suggestion about where to eat lunch.
✅He made a solemn promise to support the charity.
💡solemn in this sense describes formal commitments, not everyday suggestions or opinions.
❌We had a solemn agreement to meet at six.
✅We made a solemn agreement to split the costs fairly.
💡when describing an agreement as solemn, it should involve a serious commitment, not a casual arrangement.