Saturnine
adjective /ˈsætərnʌɪn/ — Slow, gloomy, and heavy with a certain gravity.
Definition
Slow and gloomy in character; having the qualities associated with the planet Saturn — cold, slow, and melancholic.
Beyond the definition
In astrological tradition, people born under Saturn's influence were thought to be melancholic and serious. Saturnine describes a particular kind of heaviness — not quite depression, but a natural gravity that makes lightness feel foreign. Saturnine people are often the most interesting in the room.
Origin & history
From Latin Saturninus, relating to Saturnus (Saturn). In medieval astrology, Saturn was the slowest and coldest of the planets, associated with melancholy, lead, and old age.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
His saturnine expression rarely cracked, even at parties — but when it did, the smile was worth waiting for.
The novel's narrator was saturnine, delivering the comedy in a voice entirely without levity.
She was attracted to his saturnine quality — the sense of something held back, carefully.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Saturnine” when the meaning fits your context: Slow and gloomy in character; having the qualities associated with the planet Saturn — cold, slow, and melancholic.
Synonyms
gloomy, melancholy, sullen, sombre, taciturn
Antonyms
jovial, mercurial, cheerful, bright
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Saturnine" mean?
Saturnine is adjective meaning: Slow, gloomy, and heavy with a certain gravity.. Slow and gloomy in character; having the qualities associated with the planet Saturn — cold, slow, and melancholic.
Where does the word "Saturnine" come from?
From Latin Saturninus, relating to Saturnus (Saturn). In medieval astrology, Saturn was the slowest and coldest of the planets, associated with melancholy, lead, and old age.