n.
Pronunciation: ' gr ā v, in sense 5 often ' gräv
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: grav · er ; grav · est
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin gravis heavy, grave ― more at GRIEVE
Date: 1539
1 a obsolete : AUTHORITATIVE , WEIGHTY b : meriting serious consideration : IMPORTANT < grave problems> c : likely to produce great harm or danger <a grave mistake> d : significantly serious : CONSIDERABLE , GREAT < grave importance>
2 : having a serious and dignified quality or demeanor <a grave and thoughtful look>
3 : drab in color : SOMBER
4 : low-pitched in sound
5 a of an accent mark : having the form ` b : marked with a grave accent c : of the variety indicated by a grave accent
synonyms see SERIOUS
– grave · ly adverb
– grave · ness noun