serious

[ seer-ee-uhs ]

adjective

1. of, showing, or characterized by deep thought.
2. of grave or somber disposition, character, or manner:

   a serious occasion; a serious man.

   Synonyms: staid, sedate, sober

3. being in earnest; sincere; not trifling:

   His interest was serious.

   Antonyms: trifling, frivolous

4. requiring thought, concentration, or application:

   serious reading; a serious task.

5. weighty or important:

   a serious book; Marriage is a serious matter.

   Synonyms: grave, momentous

   Antonyms: trivial

6. giving cause for apprehension; critical:

   The plan has one serious flaw.

7. Medicine/Medical. (of a patient's condition) having unstable or otherwise abnormal vital signs and other unfavorable indicators, as loss of appetite and poor mobility: patient is acutely ill.

noun

1. that which is of importance, grave, critical, or somber:

   You have to learn to separate the serious from the frivolous.

serious

/ ˈsɪərɪəs /

adjective

1. grave in nature or disposition; thoughtful

   a serious person

2. marked by deep feeling; in earnest; sincere

   is he serious or joking?

3. concerned with important matters

   a serious conversation

4. requiring effort or concentration

   a serious book

5. giving rise to fear or anxiety; critical

   a serious illness

6. informal.
   worthy of regard because of substantial quantity or quality

   serious money

   serious wine

7. informal.
   extreme or remarkable

   a serious haircut

Derived Forms

• ˈseriousness, noun

Other Words From

• se·ri·ous·ness noun
• half-se·ri·ous adjective
• half-se·ri·ous·ly adverb
• non·se·ri·ous adjective
• non·se·ri·ous·ly adverb
• o·ver·se·ri·ous adjective
• o·ver·se·ri·ous·ly adverb
• qua·si-se·ri·ous adjective
• qua·si-se·ri·ous·ly adverb
• su·per·se·ri·ous adjective
• su·per·se·ri·ous·ly adverb
• ul·tra·se·ri·ous adjective
• ul·tra·se·ri·ous·ly adverb
• un·se·ri·ous adjective
• un·se·ri·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of serious¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French serieux and Latin sērius “grave, earnest” or Late Latin sēriōsus; -ous, -ose ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of serious¹

C15: from Late Latin sēriōsus, from Latin sērius; probably related to Old English swǣr gloomy, Gothic swers esteemed

Synonym Study

See earnest ¹.

Example Sentences

He said there was exposed electrical wiring in the living room, which could have caused a serious electric shock if touched, and that there were alterations in other areas of the house too.

From BBC

Nicholas Yeo, defending Mr Cotgreave, told the misconduct hearing he accepted the serious matter but added that it was set against 24 years of unblemished service.

From BBC

In response, prosecutors argued that the request for bail should be denied, alleging that Mr Combs "poses serious risks of danger and obstruction of these proceedings".

From BBC

Anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out forwarded the case to the FA and it was then considered by an FA national serious case panel, which adjudicates on disciplinary matters in grassroots football.

From BBC

But laughter performs serious social and political work, too.

From Salon

Related Words

• dangerous
• deep
• difficult
• far-reaching
• grievous
• important
• major
• meaningful
• severe
• significant
• tough
• urgent