noun

gravity

GRA-vih-tee

noun

The force that pulls objects toward the center of the earth, or more generally, that pulls masses toward each other.

"The apple fell from the tree due to gravity."

"Astronauts experience almost no gravity in orbit."

Seriousness or importance, especially of a situation.

"He didn't seem to understand the gravity of the situation."

How to Use Gravity

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe physical force that pulls things downward, or figuratively, the seriousness of a situation.

Easily confused with

gravitas →

Common pairings

force of gravity zero gravity gravity of the situation

gravities plural

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The apple fell from the tree due to _____.

From French gravité or Latin gravitās ("heaviness, seriousness"), from gravis ("heavy, serious"). A doublet of "gravitas".

city pity deity unity entity equity nudity oddity enmity uppity vanity cavity