What does solemn mean?
Word: Solemn
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Solemn means serious and without smiles or jokes, as at a prayer, a ceremony or an important promise.
Synonyms: serious, grave, sombre
Antonyms: cheerful, light-hearted, jolly
How do you spell solemn?
Syllables: sol - emn
Tricky part: The n at the end is silent: you hear solem, but you must write the n.
Watch out for: solem, solemm
Memory tip: The n of solemn is silent, but you can hear it in solemnity. Say so-LEM-ni-ty to remember the n is there.
Solemn in a sentence
Example 1: Grandpa's voice was low and solemn as he read out the old family letter.
Example 2: Arjun made a solemn promise to look after his little sister.
Example 3: The captain had a solemn face as she read out the team list.
Fun Fact
Solemn comes from a Latin word used for ceremonies held at the same time every year, such as religious festivals.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) sollemn
b) hymn
c) column
d) autumn
Show answer
a) sollemn. The word has a single l, just like solid and soldier.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with the correct options:
1. solemn 2. reckless 3. hollow a. not caring about danger b. calm and serious, with no fun or laughter c. empty inside
a) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
b) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
c) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
d) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
Show answer
c) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c. A reckless rider ignores danger, a hollow log is empty inside and a solemn face has no smile.
Sound Check
In which word is 'o' pronounced differently?
a) comb
b) solemn
c) bottle
d) pond
Show answer
a) comb. Comb has a long oh sound; solemn, bottle and pond share the short o of hot.
Word Tally
You get 3 marks for each correctly spelt word in the list. How many marks will you score?
solemn, serius, silence, ceremony, promis
a) 12
b) 6
c) 9
d) 3
Show answer
c) 9. Serious needs an o before the u, and promise ends in -ise; three correct words earn 3 marks each.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. When the head teacher spoke in a solemn voice, the students knew she was ___.
a) going to sing a happy song
b) feeling very sleepy
c) about to tell a funny story
d) about to share important news
Show answer
d) about to share important news
2. Which occasion is usually solemn?
a) a birthday party with games
b) a noisy cricket match
c) a funny school play
d) a minute of silence at assembly
Show answer
d) a minute of silence at assembly
