air of gravitas
- noun
- /ɛr əv ˈɡrævɪtɑs/
- Formal
:
aire de gravedad
- The new CEO addressed the employees with an air of gravitas that immediately commanded respect.
Examples
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The speaker had an air of gravitas that captivated the audience.
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The old library has an air of gravitas that makes visitors whisper upon entering.
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His speech, delivered with an air of gravitas, moved the audience to silence.
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During the meeting, she maintained an air of gravitas throughout.
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The speaker captivated the audience with an air of gravitas that commanded their respect.
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At the ceremony, she entered the room with an air of gravitas, making everyone aware of the significance of the event.
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His tone and demeanor conveyed an air of gravitas, underscoring the seriousness of his message.
Synonyms
398
3.2
Calm, respectful behaviour that shows self-respect in hard times
65
6.1
A serious, calm way of behaving that shows something is important
9
7.0
A serious, formal feeling that shows respect
1
8.0
A serious, calm manner that makes people respect you
A serious and calm way of behaving that shows respect
How Serious
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is directly compositional: 'air' here means an intangible atmosphere or manner and 'gravitas' means seriousness/dignity, so the combined meaning 'an atmosphere of seriousness and dignity' is predictable. The 'air of X' pattern is a common, cross-linguistic way to express a quality, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Air of gravitas paints a simple picture: air is the mood around someone and gravitas once meant 'weight', so you imagine a person who seems to carry a heavy, serious mood. So, someone with an air of gravitas feels very serious and commands respect.