seriously
SEER-ree-uhs-lee
Seriously (adv) means In a solemn, earnest, or literal way. Example: “He spoke seriously to his son about the importance of honesty.”
adv
1
In a solemn, earnest, or literal way.
"He spoke seriously to his son about the importance of honesty."
"He took the warning seriously and left immediately."
"You need to think about this seriously before deciding."
2
Used at the start of a sentence to signal you mean what follows, often in disbelief or emphasis.
"Seriously, you have never watched a single episode of that show?"
"Seriously, please stop tapping your pen during the lecture."
"Seriously, who eats pizza for breakfast?"
How to use seriously
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn a genuine, grave way — or, as an exclamation, used to express real surprise or emphasis.
When to use it
Used as a stand-alone exclamation ("Seriously?!"), it's informal and common in speech.
Common pairings
take seriously
seriously injured
seriously though
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more seriously
- Superlative
- most seriously
Fill the gap
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He spoke _____ to his son about the importance of honesty.
Related words
Rhymes for seriously
famously
anxiously
obviously
curiously
furiously
nervously
viciously
jealously
hideously
previously
vigorously
cautiously
See all rhymes for seriously →
Frequently asked questions
What does “seriously” mean?
The word “seriously” means in a solemn, earnest, or literal way. In plain terms, in a genuine, grave way — or, as an exclamation, used to express real surprise or emphasis.
How do you pronounce “seriously”?
“Seriously” is pronounced SEER-ree-uhs-lee (/ˈsɪɹ.i.əs.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “seriously” in a sentence?
Here is “seriously” used in a sentence: “He took the warning seriously and left immediately.”
What part of speech is “seriously”?
“Seriously” is an adverb.
Is “seriously” a common word?
“Seriously” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “seriously” have?
“Seriously” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a solemn, earnest, or literal way.
What does it mean to take something seriously?
To take something seriously means to treat it as important and worthy of genuine attention, rather than dismissing it as trivial or joking about it. If you take a warning seriously, you act on it carefully. It signals earnest concern and a considered, thoughtful response instead of a casual one.
Can 'seriously' be used to show surprise or disbelief?
Yes. In casual speech, 'Seriously?' on its own expresses surprise, doubt, or mild disbelief, as in 'You won again? Seriously?' It can also add emphasis, as in 'That was seriously good.' These informal uses differ from the solemn, earnest sense but are extremely common in everyday conversation.
Is 'seriously' formal or informal?
It works in both registers. In its core sense — solemnly or earnestly — it suits formal writing, as in 'the report was taken seriously.' As an intensifier or an exclamation of surprise ('seriously good', 'Seriously?!'), it is distinctly informal. The tone depends entirely on how and where you use it.
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