Entry Word: grave

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 having a matter of importance as its topic <leaving gossip and celebrities to other magazines, this journal focuses on the grave issues of the day> — see serious 2
2 involving potential loss or injury <going over Niagara Falls poses a grave danger> — see dangerous
3 not joking or playful in mood or manner <when I asked him how his dog was doing, he looked grave and said, “Not good”> — see serious 1