Definition of gravitas
: high seriousness (as in a person's bearing or in the treatment of a subject) had the gravitas of a deep thinker
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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 of gravitas from the Web
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Someone with an M.F.A. from the University of Iowa or a job in the New York publishing field knows people who might invite her to be on a panel or write a piece for a publication, conferring crucial visibility and gravitas.
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Actress Gal Gadot owns every facet of the role, from Wonder Woman's early innocence to the gravitas showcased during battle.
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Unlike many of the stars today, who don’t have the gravitas that Cher commanded.
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Geminoid already has a palpable gravitas that comes across when chatting to Ishiguro through the android, and one hesitates to even poke the machine's rubbery hands and cheeks.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gravitas'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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, but it seems to come easier in those who are over 60, slow-moving--and a bit overweight.
Origin and Etymology of gravitas
Latin —see gravity
First Known Use: 1869
GRAVITAS Defined for English Language Learners
gravitas
playDefinition of gravitas for English Language Learners
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: a very serious quality or manner
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