adv

seriously

SEER-ree-uhs-lee

adv

In a solemn, earnest, or literal way.

"He took the warning seriously and left immediately."

"You need to think about this seriously before deciding."

Used at the start of a sentence to signal you mean what follows, often in disbelief or emphasis.

"Seriously, who eats pizza for breakfast?"

How to Use Seriously

Learner’s notes

In 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

more seriously comparative, most seriously superlative

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He took the warning _____ and left immediately.

famously anxiously obviously curiously furiously nervously viciously jealously hideously previously vigorously cautiously