Serious Definition

sîrē-əs
adjective
seriouser, seriousest
Of, showing, having, or caused by earnestness or deep thought; earnest, grave, sober, or solemn.
A serious person.
Webster's New World
Intended for sophisticated people.
Serious music.
American Heritage
Meant in earnestness; not said or done in play.
Webster's New World
Requiring careful consideration or thought; involving difficulty, effort, or considered action.
A serious problem.
Webster's New World
Meaning what one says or does; not joking or trifling; sincere.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Serious

Adjective

Base Form:
serious
Comparative:
seriouser
Superlative:
seriousest

Origin of Serious

  • From Middle English seryows, from Old French serieux, from Medieval Latin sÄ“riōsus, an extension of Latin sÄ“rius (“grave, earnest, serious"), from Proto-Indo-European *swÄ“r- (“heavy"). Cognate with German schwer (“heavy, difficult, severe"), Old English swÇ£r (“heavy, grave, grievous"). More at swear, sweer.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Old French serieux from Late Latin sēriōsus from Latin sērius

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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