serious

se·ri·ous

Use serious in a sentence

A man with a serious expression.

adjective

The definition of serious is showing deep thought, not joking, or a situation that requires careful thought.

An example of serious is wearing a full suit to a casual dinner; serious attire.
An example of serious is a person who doesn't smile or laugh easily; serious person.
An example of serious is sky diving; serious sport.

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"serious." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 July 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/SERIOUS>.

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serious. (n.d.). Retrieved July 18th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/SERIOUS

serious

of, showing, having, or caused by earnestness or deep thought; earnest, grave, sober, or solemn: a serious person
1. meaning what one says or does; not joking or trifling; sincere
2. meant in earnestness; not said or done in play
concerned with grave, important, or complex matters, problems, etc.; weighty: a serious novel
requiring careful consideration or thought; involving difficulty, effort, or considered action: a serious problem
giving cause for concern; dangerous: a serious wound

Origin of serious

Middle English seryows from Medieval Latin seriosus from Classical Latin serius, grave, origin, originally , probably weighty, heavy from uncertain or unknown; perhaps Indo-European base an unverified form swer- from source Old English swær, heavy, sad, Gothic swers, important, origin, originally , heavy

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MLA Style

"serious." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 July 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/SERIOUS>.

APA Style

serious. (n.d.). Retrieved July 18th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/SERIOUS

serious

adjective

Thoughtful, somber, or grave in manner: He became serious when he was asked about the economy.
Not joking or trifling: I was serious when I said I liked your haircut.
Deeply interested or involved: a serious golfer.
Meriting great concern: a serious illness; a serious mistake.
Performed with careful thought: a serious effort to reform tax policy.
Pertaining to important rather than trivial matters: a serious discussion.
Sincerely meant: mistook a sarcastic comment for a serious question.
Intended for sophisticated people: serious music.
Informal Of considerable size or scope; substantial: a serious amount of money.

Origin of serious

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

Related Forms:

se′ri·ous·ly
adverb

se′ri·ous·ness
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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MLA Style

"serious." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 July 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/SERIOUS>.

APA Style

serious. (n.d.). Retrieved July 18th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/SERIOUS

serious

serious sober grave ²solemn earnest ¹sedate ¹staid

These adjectives refer to manner, appearance, disposition, or acts marked by absorption in thought, pressing concerns, or significant work. Serious implies a concern with responsibility and work as opposed to play: serious students of music. Sober emphasizes circumspection and self-restraint: “My sober mind was no longer intoxicated by the fumes of politics” (Edward Gibbon). Grave suggests the dignity and somberness associated with weighty matters: “a quiet, grave man, busied in charts, exact in sums, master of the art of tactics” (Walter Bagehot). Solemn often adds to grave the suggestion of impressiveness: the judge's solemn tone as she handed down her decision. Earnest implies sincerity and intensity of purpose: disputants who showed an earnest desire to reach an equitable solution. Sedate implies a composed, dignified manner: “One of those calm, quiet, sedate natures, to whom the temptations of turbulent nerves or vehement passions are things utterly incomprehensible” (Harriet Beecher Stowe). Staid emphasizes dignity and an often strait-laced observance of propriety: “a grave and staid God-fearing man” (Tennyson).

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"serious." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 July 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/SERIOUS>.

APA Style

serious. (n.d.). Retrieved July 18th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/SERIOUS

Adjective

(comparative seriouser or more serious, superlative seriousest or most serious)

Without humor or expression of happiness; grave in manner or disposition; earnest; thoughtful; solemn.
It was a surprise to see the captain, who had always seemed so serious, laugh so heartily.
Important; weighty; not trifling; leaving no room for play; needing great attention; critical.
This is a serious problem. We'll need our best experts.
Really intending what is said; being in earnest; not jesting or deceiving; meaningful.
After all these years, we're finally getting serious attention.

Origin

From Middle English seryows, from Old French serieux, from Medieval Latin sÄ“riÅsus, 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.