solemnly

[ sol-uhm-lee ]

adverb

1. in a grave, sober, or mirthless fashion:

   She took me aside, solemnly laid her hand on my shoulder, and said, “You must keep all this going when I'm gone.”

2. in a gravely or somberly impressive manner; in a way that causes serious thoughts:

   We are solemnly reminded by this week’s events just how prevalent domestic violence still is.

3. in a serious, earnest, formal, or ceremonious manner:

   We watched the new doctors solemnly pledge to always be loyal to the welfare of the patients who come under their care.

4. in a way that is legally binding, as a declaration or agreement:

   I do solemnly swear or affirm that I requested and returned the absentee ballot, and that I have not and will not vote more than one ballot in this election.

5. in a way that involves religious forms or rites:

   The chapel was solemnly consecrated on the 25th of June, 1951.

Other Words From

• o·ver·sol·emn·ly adverb
• sem·i·sol·emn·ly adverb
• su·per·sol·emn·ly adverb
• un·sol·emn·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of solemnly¹

solemn ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

As he stared solemnly straight ahead at the Cenotaph, was this his own commitment to public service, duty and endurance?

From BBC

“I sovereign, Lidia Thorpe, do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will be faithful and I bear true allegiance to the colonising her majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” she said, as she was being sworn in.

From BBC

In an image that would haunt the former president for years, he was captured solemnly looking out of the window of Air Force One when he flew over New Orleans to survey the damage from above instead of on-the ground.

From Salon

“Amber Thurman should still be alive,” he said solemnly, “and there are a lot of people who should still be alive, and I certainly wish that she was.”

From Los Angeles Times

As the silence began, we watched as cars stopped in the middle of a busy road and people stood solemnly in the streets in a moment that felt charged with emotion, sorrow and intense national pride.

From BBC

Related Words

• earnestly
• soberly