- 1 (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.
- 2(of people) serious in manner, as if something sad, important or worrying has just happened He looked very grave as he entered the room. see also gravity Word Originearly 17th cent.: French grave or Latin gravis ‘heavy, serious’. Synonymsseriousgrave 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:He’s not really a very serious person. Be serious for a moment; this is important.grave (rather formal) (of a person) serious in manner, as if something sad, important, or worrying has just happened:He looked very grave as he entered the room.earnest serious and sincere:The earnest young doctor answered all our questions.solemn looking or sounding very serious, without smiling; done or said in a very serious and sincere way:Her expression grew solemn. I made a solemn promise that I would return.Patterns a(n) serious/grave/earnest/solemn expression/face a serious/solemn mood/atmosphereExtra examples Her expression was grave. I fear you are making a very grave mistake. The judge was suitably grave as he addressed the accused. The police have expressed grave concern about the missing child’s safety.
