grave

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serious, severe, grave, solemn, serious
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/ɡʁav/
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A strong sense of weight or depth, whether something matters greatly, a manner is solemn, or a sound is low.

Examples

  • Il a commis une grave erreur de calcul.
    He made a serious calculation error.
  • Heureusement, sa blessure n'est pas grave.
    Fortunately, her injury is not serious.
  • Le médecin a pris un air grave avant de parler.
    The doctor looked solemn before speaking.
  • Évite grave dans un courriel professionnel, le ton serait trop relâché.
    Avoid seriously in a professional email, as the tone would be too casual.
  • Réduis les graves sur l'enceinte.
    Turn down the bass on the speaker.

Similar words

bas
réservé
carrément
caverneux
énormément
austère
sourd
posé
beaucoup
important

Meanings

Serious or dangerous

adjective
everyday
neutral
Important enough to demand attention, especially because the situation, mistake, illness, or injury may have harmful consequences.

Examples

  • La situation est grave, mais elle n'est pas désespérée.
    The situation is serious, but it is not hopeless.
  • Il a commis une grave erreur de calcul.
    He made a serious calculation error.
  • Cette maladie peut devenir grave sans traitement.
    This illness can become serious without treatment.
  • Heureusement, sa blessure n'est pas grave.
    Fortunately, her injury is not serious.
  • C'est grave de mentir sur un sujet pareil.
    It is serious to lie about something like that.

Similar words

Solemn and restrained

adjective
social
neutral
Showing calm seriousness and little sign of amusement, often because the moment calls for dignity or concern.

Examples

  • Le médecin a pris un air grave avant de parler.
    The doctor looked solemn before speaking.
  • Elle gardait un visage grave pendant la cérémonie.
    She kept a solemn expression during the ceremony.
  • D'une voix grave, il a annoncé la nouvelle.
    In a serious voice, he announced the news.
  • Les enfants sont soudain devenus graves et silencieux.
    The children suddenly became serious and quiet.
  • Son regard grave a calmé toute la salle.
    His solemn look quieted the whole room.

Similar words

Low in pitch

adjective
music
neutral
Situated in the lower part of the sound range, as with a deep voice, note, or instrument.

Examples

  • Il possède une voix très grave.
    He has a very deep voice.
  • Le violoncelle produit ici une note grave.
    The cello produces a low note here.
  • Les sons graves font vibrer le plancher.
    The bass sounds make the floor vibrate.
  • Réduis les graves sur l'enceinte.
    Turn down the bass on the speaker.
  • La mélodie descend du registre aigu au grave.
    The melody moves down from the high register to the low register.

Similar words

Strong informal intensifier

adverb
social
informal
Adds strong emphasis in casual speech, meaning very much, badly, or completely, and can also give an emphatic yes on its own.

Examples

  • Cette chanson me plaît grave.
    I really like this song.
  • J'ai grave oublié notre rendez-vous.
    I totally forgot our appointment.
  • Ça coûte grave cher dans ce quartier.
    It is really expensive in this neighbourhood.
  • Tu viens ce soir ? Grave !
    Are you coming tonight? Absolutely!
  • Évite grave dans un courriel professionnel, le ton serait trop relâché.
    Avoid seriously in a professional email, as the tone would be too casual.

Similar words

Etymology

From Latin gravis, meaning heavy, weighty, or serious. The physical idea of weight developed into seriousness and importance, while the sound sense refers to a low pitch.

FAQ

What does grave mean in French?

Grave most often means serious or severe. It can also mean solemn, low-pitched, or, informally, really or absolutely.

What does c'est grave mean?

C'est grave means 'it is serious'. In context it can express real concern or an informal judgement that something is very bad.

Can grave mean 'really' in French slang?

Yes. Informal grave strongly intensifies a verb or adjective, as in ça coûte grave cher, 'it is really expensive'.

Is grave masculine or feminine?

Grave has the same singular form for masculine and feminine nouns. Its plural is graves.

How is grave pronounced in French?

Grave is pronounced /ɡʁav/, with the final v clearly heard.

What is the opposite of grave for an illness?

The usual opposite is bénin, meaning mild or not dangerous.

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