noun
Common
gravity
GRA-vih-tee
Gravity (noun) means the force that pulls objects toward the center of the earth, or more generally, that pulls masses toward each other. Example: “Because of gravity, water always runs downhill rather than uphill.”
noun
1
The force that pulls objects toward the center of the earth, or more generally, that pulls masses toward each other.
"Because of gravity, water always runs downhill rather than uphill."
"The apple fell from the tree due to gravity."
"Astronauts experience almost no gravity in orbit."
2
Seriousness or importance, especially of a situation.
"The doctor spoke quietly, aware of the gravity of the diagnosis."
"Nobody laughed, because everyone felt the gravity of the moment."
"He didn't seem to understand the gravity of the situation."
How to use gravity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe physical force that pulls things downward, or figuratively, the seriousness of a situation.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
force of gravity
zero gravity
gravity of the situation
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like gravity.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- gravities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Because of _____, water always runs downhill rather than uphill.
Etymology
From French gravité or Latin gravitās ("heaviness, seriousness"), from gravis ("heavy, serious"). A doublet of "gravitas".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for gravity
See all rhymes for gravity →Frequently asked questions
What does “gravity” mean?
The word “gravity” means the force that pulls objects toward the center of the earth, or more generally, that pulls masses toward each other. In plain terms, the physical force that pulls things downward, or figuratively, the seriousness of a situation.
How do you pronounce “gravity”?
“Gravity” is pronounced GRA-vih-tee (/ˈɡɹævɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “gravity” in a sentence?
Here is “gravity” used in a sentence: “The apple fell from the tree due to gravity.”
What part of speech is “gravity”?
“Gravity” is a noun.
Where does the word “gravity” come from?
The word “gravity” comes from Latin. From French gravité or Latin gravitās ("heaviness, seriousness"), from gravis ("heavy, serious"). A doublet of "gravitas".
Is “gravity” a common word?
“Gravity” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “gravity” have?
“Gravity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the force that pulls objects toward the center of the earth, or more generally, that pulls masses toward each other.
What is the difference between "gravity" and "gravitation"?
"Gravitation" is the general natural phenomenon by which masses attract one another. "Gravity" often refers specifically to the pull of the Earth, or another body, on nearby objects. In everyday use the two are frequently treated as the same.
What is the difference between "gravity" and "weight"?
Gravity is the force that pulls objects toward a mass such as the Earth, while weight measures how strongly gravity pulls on a particular object. Weight changes with the strength of gravity, but the object's mass stays the same.
What is the difference between "gravity" and "severity"?
Both describe how serious something is. "Gravity" emphasises weighty importance and solemnity, as in the gravity of a decision, while "severity" stresses harshness or intensity, as in the severity of a punishment or an illness.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include gravity:
