Meaning of serious in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈsɪriəs/

   US accent

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   UK accent

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1. Classifying Adjective

   serious

   Definitions

   1. of great consequence

   Examples

   • « marriage is a serious matter »

   Synonyms

   • important
   • of import
2. 2. causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm

   Examples

   • « a dangerous operation »
   • « a grave situation »
   • « a grave illness »
   • « grievous bodily harm »
   • « a serious wound »
   • « a serious turn of events »
   • « a severe case of pneumonia »
   • « a life-threatening disease »

   Synonyms

   • critical
3. 3. appealing to the mind

   Examples

   • « good music »
   • « a serious book »

   Synonyms

   • intellectual
4. 4. requiring effort or concentration

   Examples

   • « complex and not easy to answer or solve »
   • « raised serious objections to the proposal »
   • « the plan has a serious flaw »

   Synonyms

   • difficult
   • hard

5. Qualitative Adjective

   serious

   Etymology

   late Middle English: from Old French serieux or late Latin seriosus, from Latin serius‘earnest, serious’

   Definitions

   1. concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

   Examples

   • « a serious student of history »
   • « a serious attempt to learn to ski »
   • « gave me a serious look »
   • « a serious young man »
   • « are you serious or joking? »
   • « Don't be so serious! »

   Synonyms

   • capital
   • earnest
   • in earnest(p)
   • sincere
   • solemn
   • grave
   • sedate
   • sober
   • solemn
   • overserious
   • real
   • sensible
   • thoughtful
   • sobering

   Antonyms

   • frivolous
6. 2. completely lacking in playfulness

   Antonyms

   • playful