gravitas

noun

grav·​i·​tas ˈgra-və-ˌtäs 

-ˌtas

: high seriousness (as in a person's bearing or in the treatment of a subject)

had the gravitas of a deep thinker

Did you know?

This word comes to us straight from Latin. Among the Romans, gravitas was thought to be essential to the character and functions of any adult (male) in authority. Even the head of a household or a low-level official would strive for this important quality. We use gravitas today to identify the same solemn dignity in men and women.

Examples of gravitas in a Sentence

The new leader has an air of gravitas that commands respect.

a comic actress who lacks the gravitas for dramatic roles

The new leader has a certain gravitas.

Recent Examples on the Web

But this reboot had gravitas, for Larroquette at least. —Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2023

On the other hand, use of science within advertising somehow bestows upon the product a higher status, a gravitas, the excitement that this thing that the consumer must have is one of a kind, a rare breakthrough discovery. —Chris Mooney, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2011

Word History

Etymology

Latin — see gravity

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above