Serious definition
Giving cause for concern; dangerous.
A serious wound.
adjective
Careful in thought, full of concern, or restrained and dignified in manner; somber or grave.
He became serious when he was asked about the economy.
adjective
Meaning what one says or does; not joking or trifling; sincere.
adjective
Deeply interested or involved.
A serious golfer.
adjective
Intended for sophisticated people.
Serious music.
adjective
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Requiring or carried out with careful thought or concern.
A serious effort to reform tax policy.
adjective
Concerned with important rather than trivial matters.
A serious discussion.
adjective
Meant in earnestness; not said or done in play.
adjective
Really intending what is said; being in earnest; not jesting or deceiving; meaningful.
After all these years, we're finally getting serious attention.
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.
adjective
(informal) Of considerable size or scope; substantial.
A serious amount of money.
adjective
Not joking or trifling.
He is not kidding. He is serious.
adjective
Being of such import as to cause anxiety.
Serious injuries.
adjective
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Not easily answered or solved.
A serious problem.
adjective
Of, showing, having, or caused by earnestness or deep thought; earnest, grave, sober, or solemn.
A serious person.
adjective
Concerned with grave, important, or complex matters, problems, etc.; weighty.
A serious novel.
adjective
Requiring careful consideration or thought; involving difficulty, effort, or considered action.
A serious problem.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Adjective
Base Form:
serious
Comparative:
seriouser
Superlative:
seriousestOrigin of serious
- Middle English from Old French serieux from Late Latin sēriōsus from Latin sērius
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- 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