These words apply to anything that lacks or eschews frivolity or merriment because of social restraint, unsparing dedication or urgent conditions. The emphasis of both sedate and staid is on restraint in manners or behaviour. Sedate points to unruffled self-possession and implies an exterior of correctness, politeness and propriety: a sedate gathering of quiet but interesting people; sedate matrons who sit supreme and secure in their church pews. Tow word can sometimes apply critically to people or man-made things that are genteel or too refined: the sedate indifference of well-bred snobs to the miseries of the lower classes. When applied outside the context of human affairs, the word can refer more generally to anything serene or tranquil: the sedate hush after the hymn. Staid is now used most commonly in a way comparable to the negative possibility for sedate , referring to manners that are straitlaced, unbending, prim and pompous: plays that shock the sensibilities of staid ladies who attend avant-garde theatres.

Solemn once could refer almost exclusively to an extremely formal and awe-inspiring religious ritual: a solemn Requiem Mass. This was extended to other rituals or formalities expressing a total commitment: a solemn oath; a solemn dedication to the cause of freedom. Now the word can refer also to a person or manner that is unleavened by lightheartedness: the solemn faces of wives awaiting the results of the mining disaster. As a word of disapproval, it can point to someone needlessly gloomy or lacking in humour: solemn parents aghast at the most innocuous amusement of their children.

When applied to a lack of humour, serious is much more neutral in tone; depending upon context, it can be approving, strictly factual or disapproving: a play that he spoke of as the only really serious attempt at contemporary drama currently to be seen on the stage; promising to give the proposal her serious consideration; He couldn’t bear people who were so serious all the time. In a comparable context, grave emphasizes an extremely serious manner that is intense and unrelieved. It may suggest a concerned, anxious troubled state, as well: She gave him a grave look that showed how alarmed she was; inspecting his son’s report card with a grave frown. When both words apply to a state of urgency or crisis, serious suggests an uncertain condition that could well result in danger or failure: in serious condition following his heart attack. Grave , however, may well suggest a state too far gone to expect full recovery, although the word can be applied for emphasis to less extreme conditions: a grave lack of food and water in the lifeboat; a grave problem facing the nation. Both words can also be used for anything thought extremely bad; in this case, grave is again an intensification of serious : a serious lack of concern for others; a grave defiance of the law.

Sober and earnest apply more strictly than the foregoing words to human behaviour and attitudes alone. Sober can refer at its most restricted to someone who is free of the influence of alcohol or psychedelic drugs: a test to determine whether the driver was drunk or sober . Used more generally, the word can suggest a wide-eyed, clear-headed approach, particularly in response to a serious or grave situation: a sober look at a growing political danger. It can also indicate unwavering devotion to a task: a life spent in sober dedication to the advancement of medicine. Earnest stresses this last possibility for sober and adds implications of zeal, selflessness and single-mindedness: the earnest pursuit of his studies; earnest youngsters who express their idealism by joining Australian Volunteers Abroad. The word can apply also to a momentary involvement in which someone is engrossed or becomes impassioned: earnest attention from his originally restless audience; earnest requests for more information during the question period. Neither sober nor earnest is useful in expressing disapproval for someone who is habitually solemn or over-serious .