grave

noun (1)

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Definition of grave

(Entry 1 of 6)

1 : an excavation (see excavation sense 2) for burial of a body broadly : a burial place

2a : death sense 1a believes there is life beyond the grave

b : death sense 4

grave

adjective

\ ˈgrāv

, in sense 3 often ˈgräv

graver; gravest

Definition of grave (Entry 2 of 6)

1a : meriting serious consideration : important grave problems

b : likely to produce great harm or danger a grave mistake

c : significantly serious : considerable, great grave importance

d obsolete : authoritative, weighty

2 : having a serious and dignified quality or demeanor a grave and thoughtful look

3a of an accent mark : having the form `

b : marked with a grave accent

c : of the variety indicated by a grave accent

4 : low-pitched in sound

5 : drab in color : somber

grave

noun (2)

\ ˈgrāv

, ˈgräv

Definition of grave (Entry 3 of 6)

: a grave accent ` used to show that a vowel is pronounced with a fall of pitch (as in ancient Greek), that a vowel has a certain quality (such as è in French), that a final e is stressed and close and that a final o is stressed and low (as in Italian), that a syllable has a degree of stress between maximum and minimum (as in phonetic transcription), or that the e of the English ending -ed is to be pronounced (as in "this cursèd day")

grave

adverb or adjective

gra·ve | \ ˈgrä-(ˌ)vā

Definition of grave (Entry 4 of 6)

: slowly and solemnly —used as a direction in music

grave

verb (1)

\ ˈgrāv

graved; graven\ ˈgrā-vən

\ or graved; graving

Definition of grave (Entry 5 of 6)

transitive verb

1a : to carve or cut (something, such as letters or figures) into a hard surface : engrave graved the dates of his birth and death on the headstone

b : to carve or shape with a chisel : sculpture

2 : to impress or fix (a thought, a memory, etc.) deeply

3 archaic : dig, excavate

grave

verb (2)

graved; graving

Definition of grave (Entry 6 of 6)

transitive verb

: to clean and pay with pitch grave a ship's bottom

Other Words from grave Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about grave

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Choose the Right Synonym for grave

Adjective

serious, grave, solemn, sedate, staid, sober, earnest mean not light or frivolous. serious implies a concern for what really matters. a serious play about social injustice grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude. read the proclamation in a grave voice solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity. a sad and solemn occasion sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness. remained sedate amid the commotion staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint. a quiet and staid community sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity. a sober look at the state of our schools earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose. an earnest reformer

Did You Know?

Adverb or adjective

Gravity has a familiar physical meaning but also a nonphysical meaning—basically "seriousness". Thus, something grave possesses gravity. You can refer to the gravity of a person's manner, though public figures today seem to have a lot less gravity than they used to have. Or you can talk about a grave situation, as in the example sentence. But even though Shakespeare makes a pun on grave when a dying character talks about being buried the next day ("Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man"), the word meaning "hole for burying a body" isn't actually related.

Examples of grave in a Sentence

Adjective This violation of school rules is a grave matter. His carelessness could have grave consequences. They have placed themselves in grave danger. I have grave doubts about this plan. suffering from a grave illness The judge issued his ruling with a grave expression. The French word père is written with a grave accent over the first e.