gravity
Pluralgravities (some meanings)
- 1The pull that makes objects fall toward the ground and gives them weight.
Like an invisible hand that always pulls things down toward the ground.
Gravity pulls a dropped ball straight down to the floor.
On the moon, gravity is much weaker, so astronauts can jump very high.
Similargravitation
Note
- 2The force that pulls any two objects toward each other because they have mass.
Like two magnets drawn toward each other, but it works on everything that has weight.
Gravity holds the planets in their paths around the sun.
The same gravity that keeps the moon near Earth also pulls a falling apple down.
Similargravitation, attraction
Note
- 3A serious mood or quality that makes people treat something as important, not as a joke.
Like the heavy, quiet feeling in a room when something serious has just happened.
The gravity of the moment made everyone fall silent.
She spoke with such gravity that we knew the news was bad.
Similarseriousness, graveness
Note
- 4A scientific idea that tries to explain weight and why objects pull on each other.
Like a recipe that explains how something works: here, why things have weight and pull together.
Newton's gravity explained the motion of the planets for the first time.
Einstein's gravity replaced the older theory with a picture of curved space.
Note
- 5
- 6How heavy something is compared with the same amount of water.
Like comparing the weight of a cup of honey with a cup of water.
Brewers check the gravity of the wort to see how much sugar it holds.
Oil floats on water because its gravity is lower.
Similardensity
Note
- 7How low a musical note sounds.
Like the deep, low sound of a big drum next to a small one.
The gravity of the cello's lowest string filled the hall.
Singers add gravity to a tune by dropping to lower notes.
Similardepth
Note
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of gravity apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It comes from the Latin word "gravitas," meaning "weight," from "gravis," meaning "heavy." It first appeared in the 16th century.