serial
Serial (adj) means arranged in, or having to do with, a series or repeated succession. Example: “He was investigated as a suspected serial offender.”
How to Use Serial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething happening repeatedly in a sequence, or released bit by bit rather than all at once.
Don't confuse with "cereal," the breakfast food — they're pronounced identically but spelled differently.
Word Forms
serialed past tense, serialled past tense, serials plural, serials singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was investigated as a suspected _____ offender.
Etymology
Formed from "series" plus "-al," modelled on Latin seriālis.
Related Words
Rhymes for serial
See all rhymes for serial →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “serial” mean?
The word “serial” means arranged in, or having to do with, a series or repeated succession. In plain terms, something happening repeatedly in a sequence, or released bit by bit rather than all at once.
How do you pronounce “serial”?
“Serial” is pronounced SEER-rih-uhl (/ˈsɪɹ.i.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “serial” in a sentence?
Here is “serial” used in a sentence: “He was investigated as a suspected serial offender.”
What part of speech is “serial”?
Depending on how it is used, “serial” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “serial” come from?
The word “serial” comes from Latin. Formed from "series" plus "-al," modelled on Latin seriālis.
Is “serial” a common word?
“Serial” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “serial” have?
“Serial” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: arranged in, or having to do with, a series or repeated succession.
What is the difference between 'serial' and 'cereal'?
They are homophones that sound alike but differ in meaning. 'Serial' relates to a series or successive installments, while 'cereal' is a breakfast food or grain crop.
What is the difference between 'serial' and 'series'?
'Serial' is chiefly an adjective meaning arranged in a series, or a noun for a story released in installments. 'Series' is a noun meaning a set of related things or episodes considered as a group.
Why is it called a 'serial number'?
A serial number is a unique identifier assigned in sequence, using the adjective sense of 'serial' meaning arranged in a series. Each item receives its own number in an ordered succession.
Why is a repeat offender called a 'serial killer'?
The word 'serial' here means occurring in a repeated succession. A serial killer is someone who commits a series of similar crimes over time, one after another.