Words / C1

GRAYV/ɡreɪv/

Grave as an adjective means very serious: a grave error, grave concern. The noun grave is a burial place — same spelling, different job. Serious is everyday; solemn is ceremonially serious. Gravity (next) is the noun of this sense. Do not call a late bus a grave matter unless people were harmed.

Meaning

Very serious and worrying (not the burial place in this sense).

Examples

• “A grave error in the dosage table stopped the trial.”
• “A grave error in the dosage column stopped the trial the same afternoon.”
• “A grave in a churchyard is the noun; keep the adjective for real seriousness.”

Good to know

Very serious (adj.). Noun homonym: a burial place. Everyday: serious. Noun of the adj.: gravity. Not a minor delay.

Near in meaning

serious

New