serious

adjective se·ri·ous \ˈsir-ē-əs\

: having an important or dangerous possible result

: involving or deserving a lot of thought, attention, or work

: giving a lot of attention or energy to something

Full Definition of SERIOUS

: thoughtful or subdued in appearance or manner : sober <a quiet, serious girl>

a : requiring much thought or work <serious study>

b : of or relating to a matter of importance <a serious play>

a : not joking or trifling : being in earnest <a serious question>

b archaic : pious

c : deeply interested : devoted <a serious musician>

a : not easily answered or solved <serious objections>

b : having important or dangerous possible consequences <a serious injury>

: excessive or impressive in quality, quantity, extent, or degree <serious stereo equipment> <making serious money> <serious drinking>

— se·ri·ous·ness noun

See serious defined for English-language learners

See serious defined for kids

Origin of SERIOUS

Middle English seryows, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French serious, from Late Latin seriosus, alteration of Latin serius weighty, serious; probably akin to Old English swǣr heavy, sad

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SERIOUS

Synonyms: earnest, grave, humorless, no-nonsense, po-faced [British], sedate, severe, sober, sobersided, solemn, staid, uncomic, unsmiling, weighty

Antonyms: facetious, flip, flippant, humorous, jesting, jocular, joking, kittenish, ludic, playful

Synonym Discussion of SERIOUS

serious, grave, solemn, sedate, staid, sober, earnest mean not light or frivolous. serious implies a concern for what really matters <a serious play about social injustice>. grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude <read the proclamation in a grave voice>. solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity <a sad and solemn occasion>. sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness <remained sedate amid the commotion>. staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint <a quiet and staid community>. sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity <a sober look at the state of our schools>. earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose <an earnest reformer>.

Rhymes with SERIOUS

cereus, Nereus, Sirius

SERIOUSNESS Defined for Kids

serious

adjective se·ri·ous \ˈsir-ē-əs\

Definition of SERIOUS for Kids

: not joking or funny <a serious drama>

: being such as to cause distress or harm <a serious accident>

: thoughtful or quiet in appearance or manner <a serious person>

: requiring much thought or work <a serious task>

— se·ri·ous·ness noun

Synonym Discussion of SERIOUS

serious, solemn, and earnest mean not funny or not playful. serious means being concerned or seeming to be concerned about really important things. <He's a serious student.> solemn is used for dignity along with complete seriousness. <The preacher is always very solemn.> earnest means that someone is sincere and has serious intentions. <She's an earnest, diligent student.>

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