Serious

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈsɪəriÉ™s/
• Rhymes: -ɪəriÉ™s

Origin

From Middle English seryows, from Old French serieux, from Medieval Latin sēriōsus, an extension of Latin sērius ("grave, earnest, serious"), from Proto-Indo-European *swēr- ("heavy"). Cognate with German schwer ("heavy, difficult, severe"), Old English swǣr ("heavy, grave, grievous"). More at swear, sweer.

Full definition of serious

Adjective

1. 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.
2. Important; weighty; not trifling; leaving no room for play; needing great attention; critical.This is a serious problem. We'll need our best experts.
3. Really intending what is said; being in earnest; not jesting or deceiving; meaningful.After all these years, we're finally getting serious attention.

Synonyms

Antonyms

• (important, weighty) trifling, unimportant
• (intending what is said) jesting

Derived terms

• srs abbreviation
• dead serious
• seriously
• seriousness
• serious-minded
• serious-mindedly
• serious-mindedness