Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

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: , ,

  3. being in earnest; sincere; not trifling:

    His interest was serious.

    Antonyms: ,

  4. requiring thought, concentration, or application:

    serious reading; a serious task.

  5. weighty or important:

    a serious book; Marriage is a serious matter.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  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

/ ˈɪəɪə /

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈdzܲԱ, noun
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • ··dzܲ·Ա noun
  • 󲹱-··dzܲ adjective
  • 󲹱-··dzܲ·ly adverb
  • ԴDz···dzܲ adjective
  • ԴDz···dzܲ·ly adverb
  • ····dzܲ adjective
  • ····dzܲ·ly adverb
  • ܲ·-··dzܲ adjective
  • ܲ·-··dzܲ·ly adverb
  • ····dzܲ adjective
  • ····dzܲ·ly adverb
  • ܱ·ٰ···dzܲ adjective
  • ܱ·ٰ···dzܲ·ly adverb
  • ܲ···dzܲ adjective
  • ܲ···dzܲ·ly adverb
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of serious1

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of serious1

C15: from Late Latin ŧōܲ, from Latin ŧܲ; probably related to Old English ǣ gloomy, Gothic swers esteemed
Discover More

Synonym Study

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Eduardo Levy Yeyati, a former chief economist at the Central Bank of Argentina, says the impact on commodity prices and global demand is a "serious headwind" for South America.

From

"Jorge knew how to be serious when needed, but he never lost his spontaneity or his sense of humour. He was a warm, approachable uncle, and I loved him deeply."

From

In January, serious IT problems at Barclays affected the bank's app and online banking.

From

“At the same time, the County is facing serious budgetary challenges on multiple fronts.”

From

The spiraling race hysteria had led to serious harassment of both the families of Metcalf and Anthony.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


seriocomicseriously