gravitas
pronunciation
How to pronounce gravitas in British English:
UK [ˈgrævɪtɑ:s]
How to pronounce gravitas in American English:
US [ˈɡrævɪˌtɑs]
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- Noun:
- formality in bearing and appearance
Word Origin
- gravitas (n.)
- 1924, usually in italics, from Latin gravitas "weight, heaviness;" figuratively, of persons, "dignity, presence, influence" (see gravity). A word wanted when gravity acquired a primarily scientific meaning.
Example
- 1. Ed wins on charm ; david has the gravitas of a plausible prime minister .
- 2. Finance director douglas flint , too , has the gravitas to succeed mr green as chairman .
- 3. The presidents gave bipartisan gravitas to the campaign , and we needed all the help we could get .
- 4. He certainly thinks before he speaks in every instance , and I think that 's because he understands the gravitas of the situation .
- 5. The young kim may skip a year or two and celebrate his 30th birthday that year , just to gain a bit of gravitas .