Definition of "gravitas" []

• Substance; weightiness: a frivolous biography that lacks the gravitas of its subject. (noun)
• A serious or dignified demeanor: "Our national father figure needs gravitas, [but] he's pitched himself as the kid brother” ( John Leo). (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "He had accumulated an air of standing, toting around great sacks of what they call gravitas."
• "One man's "gravitas" is a good many more people's "aloof toff" in my opinion."
• "Just as the Halloween sequels have been given a certain gravitas by the continuing appearances of Donald Pleasence, the Saw series have always used to the compelling presence of Mr. Bell to give it a certain edge."