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

The organisation will consider whether to revoke an award for "proven dishonesty, and the very rare instance of a winner being convicted of a serious criminal offence resulting in a prison sentence".

From BBC

It will not bring an end to violence, let alone usher in democracy, but it would open the space for serious negotiations.

From BBC

Christian Lockyer, PR Manager for First West of England, said there was a "serious side" to the performance.

From BBC

The most serious sanction is prosecution for fare evasion, which can land passengers with a magistrates court appearance and a serious criminal record.

From BBC

“Ms. Matarico is cooperating fully with the legal process and is prepared to address these serious allegations in court,” Bido told The Times in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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