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gravitas

[ grav-i-tahs, ‐tas ]

/ ˈgræv ɪˌtɑs, ‐ˌtæs /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR gravitas ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

seriousness or sobriety, as of conduct or speech.

Origin of gravitas

1920–25; < Latin gravitās; see gravity

Words nearby gravitas

graving dock, graving piece, graviperception, gravireceptor, gravisphere, gravitas, gravitate, gravitation, gravitational, gravitational collapse, gravitational constant

Example sentences from the Web for gravitas

Nobody believes in the dignity and gravitas of American government.

Up to a Point: In Defense of Lobbyists |P. J. O’Rourke |October 25, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
All the moralizing and gravitas that accompanies a star player being arrested should be viewed as a form of Kabuki theater.

Hey NFL Fans: Ray Rice Isn’t the Problem. You Are. |Steve Almond |July 24, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Later in a statement, Moonves praised Letterman for “wit, gravitas, and brilliance unique in the history of our medium.”

The King Abdicates From Late-Night Nation |Tom Shales |April 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But some presidents grow stronger rhetorically in the job as the gravitas of the office lends depth to their words.

President Obama’s Belgian Waffle |Stuart Stevens |March 27, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Lee, an ex-BBC defense correspondent, says the couple do not have the "gravitas" to be anything other than celebrities.

William and Kate Are Just Celebrities, And George Won't Ever Be King Says British Historian |Tom Sykes |January 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for gravitas

gravitas

/ (ˈɡrævɪˌtæs) /

noun

seriousness, solemnity, or importance

Word Origin for gravitas

C20: from Latin gravitās weight, from gravis heavy