serious
SEER-ree-uhs
Serious (adj) means not joking or humorous; solemn in manner. Example: “He gave her a serious look and said nothing more.”
adj
1
Not joking or humorous; solemn in manner.
"He gave her a serious look and said nothing more."
"She kept a serious expression during the entire meeting."
"Please be serious for a moment, because this is not a laughing matter."
2
Important, significant, or potentially harmful.
"The doctors said his condition was serious but stable."
"A serious storm is heading towards the coast, so stay indoors tonight."
"Skipping the safety checks could lead to serious problems later on."
3
Genuinely meaning what one says, not joking around.
"Are you serious about quitting your job?"
"I'm serious, I really will move abroad if they offer me the job."
"Tell me you're not serious about wanting to sell the family house!"
How to use serious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGrave or earnest — either in someone's manner, or describing something important or dangerous.
Common pairings
serious problem
dead serious
serious injury
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more serious
- Superlative
- most serious
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave her a _____ look and said nothing more.
Etymology
From Old French serieux, from Medieval Latin sēriōsus, based on Latin sērius, "grave, earnest."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for serious
See all rhymes for serious →Frequently asked questions
What does “serious” mean?
The word “serious” means not joking or humorous; solemn in manner. In plain terms, grave or earnest — either in someone's manner, or describing something important or dangerous.
How do you pronounce “serious”?
“Serious” is pronounced SEER-ree-uhs (/ˈsɪɚ.i.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “serious” in a sentence?
Here is “serious” used in a sentence: “He gave her a serious look and said nothing more.”
What is another word for “serious”?
Words with a similar meaning to “serious” include austere, frightful, demure, grave, earnest and grievous.
What is the opposite of “serious”?
The opposite of “serious” — its antonyms — are trifling, unimportant, jesting, gaudy and witty.
What part of speech is “serious”?
“Serious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “serious” come from?
The word “serious” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French serieux, from Medieval Latin sēriōsus, based on Latin sērius, "grave, earnest.".
Is “serious” a common word?
“Serious” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between serious and solemn?
The words overlap but differ in feel. Serious means not joking, being earnest and in earnest about something. Solemn adds a note of formal gravity or ceremony, the mood of a funeral or an oath. Someone can be serious in a casual chat, but solemn suggests a deeper, more dignified seriousness.
What is the opposite of serious?
When serious means not joking, its opposites are playful, lighthearted, humorous, or flippant. A serious expression contrasts with a smiling or joking one. In the related sense of grave or important, the opposites shift to trivial, minor, or unimportant, showing how much the word depends on context.
Is serious a positive or negative word?
Serious is neutral and takes its color from context. Calling someone a serious student is a compliment, suggesting dedication. Describing a mood as too serious can be mild criticism, implying a lack of fun. And a serious illness or serious mistake is clearly negative. Tone and setting decide the meaning.
What is an example of serious?
A doctor delivering test results wears a serious expression, showing no trace of humor. A serious conversation is one held in earnest, not in jest. In each case the word marks a solemn, focused manner, the opposite of laughing, teasing, or treating a matter lightly.
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