- (of situations, feelings, etc.) very serious and important; giving you a reason to feel worried
- The police have expressed grave concern about the missing child's safety.
- The consequences will be very grave if nothing is done.
- We were in grave danger.
- I fear you are making a very grave mistake.
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- (of people) serious in manner, as if something sad or important has just happened
- He looked very grave as he entered the room.
Extra ExamplesTopics Feelingsc2- Her expression was grave.
- The judge was suitably grave as he addressed the accused.
see also gravity
Word Originearly 17th cent.: French grave or Latin gravis ‘heavy, serious’.
Synonyms seriousseriousgrave ▪ earnest ▪ solemnThese words all describe somebody who thinks and behaves carefully and sensibly, but often without much joy or laughter.serious thinking about things in a careful and sensible way; not laughing about something:
See grave in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee grave in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English- He’s not really a very serious person.
- Be serious for a moment; this is important.
- He looked very grave as he entered the room.
- The earnest young doctor answered all our questions.
- Her expression grew solemn.
- I made a solemn promise that I would return.
- a(n) serious/grave/earnest/solemn expression/face
- a serious/solemn mood/atmosphere
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