serial
SEER-rih-uhl
Serial (adj) means Arranged in, or having to do with, a series or repeated succession. Example: “The factory uses a serial process, where each step must finish before the next begins.”
adj
1
Arranged in, or having to do with, a series or repeated succession.
"The factory uses a serial process, where each step must finish before the next begins."
"He was investigated as a suspected serial offender."
"The show follows a serial format, with new episodes released weekly."
noun
1
A story or programme released in regular installments rather than all at once.
"We loved the radio serial and listened to every episode over breakfast."
"The detective story ran as a weekly serial in the local paper."
"The novel was originally published as a serial in a monthly magazine."
2
A unique code, especially one used to activate software or identify a specific product.
"Type the serial from your receipt into the box to unlock the program."
"The shop asked for the serial printed on the back of my camera."
"You'll need the serial number printed on the box to register the device."
How to use serial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething happening repeatedly in a sequence, or released bit by bit rather than all at once.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "cereal," the breakfast food — they're pronounced identically but spelled differently.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
serial killer
serial number
serial format
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Word forms
- Plural
- serials
- Third person singular
- serials
- Past tense
- serialed, serialled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The factory uses a _____ process, where each step must finish before the next begins.
Etymology
Formed from "series" plus "-al," modelled on Latin seriālis.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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.
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