Words / C1

GRAV-uh-tee/ˈɡrævəti/

Gravity is seriousness, or the physical force: the gravity of the leak, the law of gravity. Grave (above) is the adjective. Gravitas (already in the dictionary) is dignified presence — related root, different job. Do not write gravity for “the vibe was heavy” in a lab report.

Meaning

Seriousness; also the force that pulls objects toward the Earth.

Examples

• “They had not grasped the gravity of a leaked paper.”
• “They had not grasped the gravity of publishing a named minor’s address.”
• “Physics gravity pulls; metaphorical gravity is how serious the breach is. Keep both readable.”

Good to know

Seriousness; also the physics force. Adjective: grave. Mix-up: gravitas (dignified manner). Not a mood word in methods.

Near in meaning

seriousness

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