French word

gravement

Pronunciation

IPA/gʁavəmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbseriously

Example

Il est gravement malade.

He is seriously ill.

Illustration for gravement (seriously)

More examples

Elle est tombée et s'est gravement blessée.

She fell and seriously injured herself.

Core concept

A heavy weight pressing on health, safety, or outcomes, with consequences that matter.

Common phrases

  • tomber gravement malade

    fall seriously ill

  • se blesser gravement

    seriously injure oneself

  • être gravement intoxiqué

    be seriously intoxicated

Similar words

sérieusement: With seriousness or importance requiring the matter to be addressed properly.
sévèrement: With great intensity and clearly damaging consequences.

Definition in French

Sert à qualifier qu'un dommage, un état ou une conséquence est sérieux et a une portée importante, employé surtout dans des registres formels ou médicaux.

Word origin

French gravement combines the adjective grave, from Latin gravis through Old French, with the adverb-forming suffix -ment.

Usage tips

  • Gravement usually modifies an adjective or past participle, as in gravement malade or gravement blessé, and it does not agree in gender or number.

Other meanings

  • gravelyadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • agraveraggravateverb
  • gravitéseriousnessnoun

Word lists with this word