Serious problems or situations are very bad and cause people to be worried or afraid.
Crime is an increasingly serious problem in modern society.
The government still face very serious difficulties.
Doctors said his condition was serious but stable.
Synonyms: grave, bad, critical, worrying More Synonyms of serious
seriouslyadverb [ADVERB adjective/adverb, ADVERB with verb]
If this ban was to come in it would seriously damage my business.
They are not thought to be seriously hurt.
Synonyms: very, really, extremely, particularly More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: badly, severely, gravely, critically More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: really?, well I never!, truthfully?, honestly? More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: truly, honestly, sincerely, truthfully More Synonyms of serious
seriousnessuncountable noun
...the seriousness of the crisis. [+ of]
Synonyms: importance, gravity, urgency, moment More Synonyms of serious
2. adjective
Serious matters are important and deserve careful and thoughtful consideration.
I regard this as a serious matter.
Don't laugh boy. This is serious.
...the serious business of running the country.
Synonyms: important, crucial [informal], urgent, pressing More Synonyms of serious
3. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
When important matters are dealt with in a serious way, they are given careful and thoughtful consideration.
We had never discussed marriage in any serious way.
It was a question which deserved serious consideration.
...serious discussions.
Synonyms: thoughtful, detailed, careful, deep More Synonyms of serious
seriouslyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
The management will have to think seriously about their positions.
Synonyms: very, really, extremely, particularly More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: badly, severely, gravely, critically More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: really?, well I never!, truthfully?, honestly? More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: truly, honestly, sincerely, truthfully More Synonyms of serious
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Serious music or literature requires concentration to understand or appreciate it.
...serious classical music.
There is no point reviewing a blockbuster as you might review a serious novel.
5. adjective
If someone is seriousabout something, they are sincere about what they are saying, doing, or intending to do.
You really are serious about this, aren't you? [+ about]
I hope you're not serious.
Synonyms: sincere, determined, earnest, resolved More Synonyms of serious
seriouslyadverb [ADVERB adjective/adverb, ADVERB with verb]
Are you seriously jealous of Erica?
Synonyms: very, really, extremely, particularly More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: badly, severely, gravely, critically More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: really?, well I never!, truthfully?, honestly? More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: truly, honestly, sincerely, truthfully More Synonyms of serious
seriousnessuncountable noun
In all seriousness, there is nothing else I can do.
They had shown a commitment and seriousness of purpose.
[Also + of]
Synonyms: solemnity, gravity, earnestness, sobriety More Synonyms of serious
6. adjective
Serious people are thoughtful and quiet, and do not laugh very often.
He's quite a serious person.
She looked at me with big, serious eyes.
Synonyms: solemn, earnest, grave, stern More Synonyms of serious
seriouslyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
They spoke to me very seriously but politely.
Synonyms: very, really, extremely, particularly More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: badly, severely, gravely, critically More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: really?, well I never!, truthfully?, honestly? More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: truly, honestly, sincerely, truthfully More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: gravely, solemnly, earnestly, grimly More Synonyms of serious
7. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Serious money is a very large amount of money.
[informal]
He started earning serious money only in the sixties.
seriouslyadverb [ADVERB adjective]
What's it like to be seriously rich at 15?
Synonyms: very, really, extremely, particularly More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: badly, severely, gravely, critically More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: really?, well I never!, truthfully?, honestly? More Synonyms of serious
Synonyms: truly, honestly, sincerely, truthfully More Synonyms of serious
More Synonyms of serious
serious in British English
(ˈsɪərɪəs)
adjective
1.
grave in nature or disposition; thoughtful
a serious person
2.
marked by deep feeling; in earnest; sincere
is he serious or joking?
3.
concerned with important matters
a serious conversation
4.
requiring effort or concentration
a serious book
5.
giving rise to fear or anxiety; critical
a serious illness
6. informal
worthy of regard because of substantial quantity or quality
serious money
serious wine
7. informal
extreme or remarkable
a serious haircut
Derived forms
seriousness (ˈseriousness)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Late Latin sēriōsus, from Latin sērius; probably related to Old English swǣr gloomy, Gothic swers esteemed
serious in American English
(ˈsɪriəs)
adjective
1.
of, showing, having, or caused by earnestness or deep thought; earnest, grave, sober, or solemn
a serious person
2.
a.
meaning what one says or does; not joking or trifling; sincere
b.
meant in earnestness; not said or done in play
3.
concerned with grave, important, or complex matters, problems, etc.; weighty
a serious novel
4.
requiring careful consideration or thought; involving difficulty, effort, or considered action
a serious problem
5.
giving cause for concern; dangerous
a serious wound
SYNONYMY NOTE: serious implies absorption in deep thought or involvement in something really important asdistinguished from something frivolous or merely amusing [he takes a serious interest in the theater]; grave1 implies the dignified weightiness of heavy responsibilities or cares [a grave expression on his face]; solemn suggests an impressive or awe-inspiring seriousness [a solemn ceremony]; sedate1 implies a dignified, proper, sometimes even prim seriousness [a sedate clergyman]; earnest1 suggests a seriousness of purpose marked by sincerity and enthusiasm [an earnest desire to help]; sober implies a seriousness marked by temperance, self-control, emotional balance, etc.[a sober criticism]
OPPOSITES: frivolous, flippant
Derived forms
seriously (ˈseriously)
adverb
seriousness (ˈseriousness)
noun
Word origin
ME seryows < ML seriosus < L serius, grave, orig., prob. weighty, heavy < ? IE base *swer- > OE swær, heavy, sad, Goth swers, important, orig., heavy
Examples of 'serious' in a sentence
serious
To face serious illness when your relationship is barely a year old?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Your new partner looks serious but has a gift for making you laugh.
The Sun (2010)
This is a profoundly serious business in cricketing terms.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Until they spend serious money on serious players they will not be serious contenders.
The Sun (2013)
Nineteen others fade before they have done serious damage.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGING FOR RESULTS (1986)
Training was a serious matter for him.
Leo McKinstry Sir Alf: A Major Reappraisal of the Life and Times of England's Greatest FootballManager (2006)
My advice is to show you are serious and thoughtful about your subject.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This was a simply dreadful advertisement for serious contemporary music.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The issues are serious and we should have presented them in a serious and transparent way.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The team for the next game obviously needs serious consideration.
The Sun (2008)
Has he really gone all serious on us?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They are also more likely to fear getting a serious illness.
The Sun (2010)
To my eye he looked a very serious horse that day.
The Sun (2008)
The company is a reminder that serious businesses are now being built online.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Those who make serious money almost always buy a country house with a park of mature trees.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Both brothers allege that serious damage was inflicted on their reputations and businesses.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This was wrong and is a matter of serious regret.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is much more serious and thoughtful than that.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The solar storm caused serious problems.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
serious
British English: serious /ˈsɪərɪəs/ ADJECTIVE
Serious problems or situations are very bad and cause people to be worried or afraid.
Crime is an increasingly serious problem in this area.
American English: serious
Arabic: جِدِّيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: sério
Chinese: 严重的
Croatian: ozbiljan
Czech: vážný
Danish: alvorlig
Dutch: serieus
European Spanish: serio
Finnish: vakava
French: sérieux
German: ernst
Greek: σοβαρός
Italian: serio
Japanese: 深刻な
Korean: 심각한
Norwegian: alvorlig
Polish: poważny
European Portuguese: sério
Romanian: serios
Russian: серьезный
Latin American Spanish: serio
Swedish: allvarlig
Thai: ร้ายแรง
Turkish: ciddi
Ukrainian: серйозний
Vietnamese: nghiêm trọng
All related terms of 'serious'
half-serious
not entirely serious
mock-serious
pretending to be serious as a joke , etc
serious error
An error is something you have done which is considered to be incorrect or wrong , or which should not have been done.
serious flaw
A flaw in something such as a theory or argument is a mistake in it, which causes it to be less effective or valid .
serious money
Money is the coins or bank notes that you use to buy things, or the sum that you have in a bank account.
serious danger
Danger is the possibility that someone may be harmed or killed.
serious illness
Illness is the fact or experience of being ill .
serious matter
A matter is a task , situation, or event which you have to deal with or think about, especially one that involves problems .
serious-minded
of, having, or showing earnestness or seriousness of purpose, method, etc.; not frivolous , jocular , etc.
serious problem
A problem is a situation that is unsatisfactory and causes difficulties for people.
serious setback
A setback is an event that delays your progress or reverses some of the progress that you have made.
serious trouble
You can refer to problems or difficulties as trouble .
serious accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
serious challenge
A challenge is something new and difficult which requires great effort and determination .
serious condition
If someone has a particular condition , they have an illness or other medical problem.
serious failings
The failings of someone or something are their faults or unsatisfactory features.
serious offender
An offender is a person who has committed a crime.
serious question
A question is a problem, matter, or point which needs to be considered.
serious allegations
An allegation is a statement saying that someone has done something wrong .
serious competition
Competition is a situation in which two or more people or groups are trying to get something which not everyone can have.
serious implications
The implications of something are the things that are likely to happen as a result.
Serious Fraud Office
a UK government office responsible for investigating and prosecuting serious fraud cases
Chinese translation of 'serious'
serious
(ˈsɪərɪəs)
adj
[problem, accident, illness]严(嚴)重的 (yánzhòng de)
(= not frivolous)[matter]严(嚴)肃(肅)的 (yánsù de)
⇒ I think this is a serious point.我认为这是个严肃的问题。 (Wǒ rènwéi zhè shì gè yánsù de wèntí.)
[thought, consideration]认(認)真的 (rènzhēn de)
[person] (= sincere) 当(當)真的 (dàngzhēn de)
⇒ You really are serious about this, aren't you?你是当真的，是不是？ (Nǐ shì dàngzhēn de, shì bù shì?)
⇒ I hope you're not serious.我希望你不是当真的。 (Wǒ xīwàng nǐ bùshì dàngzhēn de.)
(= solemn) 严(嚴)肃(肅)的 (yánsù de)
are you serious?你是认(認)真的吗(嗎)？ (nǐ shì rènzhēn de ma?)
All related terms of 'serious'
deadly serious
极(極)其严(嚴)肃(肅) jíqí yánsù
are you serious?
你是认(認)真的吗(嗎)？ nǐ shì rènzhēn de ma?
you can't be serious!
你不是认(認)真的吧！ nǐ bù shì rènzhēn de ba!
he struck me as very serious/clever
我感到他很严(嚴)肃(肅)/聪(聰)明 wǒ gǎndào tā hěn yánsù/cōngmíng
nothing new/serious/to worry about
没(沒)有什么(麼)新的/要紧(緊)的/值得担(擔)忧(憂)的 méiyoǔ shénme xīn de/yàojǐn de/zhídé dānyōu de
1 (adjective)
Definition
giving cause for concern
His condition was serious but stable.
Synonyms
grave
He says the situation in his country is very grave.
bad
The pain is often so bad she wants to scream.
critical
Ten of the injured are said to be in a critical condition.
worrying
dangerous
acute
The war aggravated an acute economic crisis.
alarming
severe
a business with severe cash flow problems
extreme
people living in extreme poverty
grievous
He survived in spite of suffering grievous injuries.
2 (adjective)
Definition
concerned with important matters
I regard this as a serious matter.
Synonyms
important
an important economic challenge to the government
crucial (informal)
the most crucial election campaign in years
urgent
There is an urgent need for food and water.
pressing
There is a pressing need for more funds.
difficult
worrying
deep
significant
It is the first drug that seems to have a significant effect on this disease.
grim
far-reaching
far-reaching reforms on human rights
momentous
the momentous decision to send in the troops
fateful
What changed for him in that fateful year?
weighty
Surely such weighty matters merit a higher level of debate?
no laughing matter
of moment or consequence
Opposites
insignificant
,
minor
,
trivial
,
slight
,
unimportant
3 (adjective)
Definition
requiring concentration
It was a question which deserved serious consideration.
Synonyms
thoughtful
a thoughtful and scholarly book
detailed
careful
One has to be extremely careful when dealing with these people.
deep
a period of deep personal crisis
profound
a book full of profound and challenging insights
in-depth
4 (adjective)
Definition
requiring concentration
a serious novel
Synonyms
deep
cultured
He is a cultured man with a wide circle of friends.
intellectual
They were very intellectual and witty.
literary
a literary masterpiece
sophisticated
Recently her tastes have become more sophisticated.
scholarly
He was an intellectual, scholarly man.
heavyweight
highbrow
He presents his own highbrow literary programme.
highbrowed
5 (adjective)
Definition
not cheerful
He's quite a serious person.
Synonyms
solemn
His solemn little face broke into smiles.
earnest
grave
She could tell by his grave expression that something terrible had happened.
stern
sober
We are now far more sober and realistic.
thoughtful
sedate
She took them to visit her sedate, elderly cousins.
glum
staid
a staid country doctor
humourless
He was a straight-faced, humourless character.
long-faced
pensive
She looked suddenly sombre and pensive.
unsmiling
Opposites
jolly
,
frivolous
,
carefree
,
smiling
,
joyful
,
flippant
,
light-hearted
,
funny
6 (adjective)
Definition
in earnest
You really are serious about this, aren't you?
Synonyms
sincere
He accepted her apologies as sincere.
determined
earnest
Rupert was an earnest young man.
resolved
He was resolved to stay till the end.
genuine
There was genuine joy in the room.
deliberate
honest
I was honest about what I was doing.
resolute
a decisive and resolute international leader
in earnest
I can never tell whether he is in earnest or not.
Opposites
undecided
,
frivolous
,
insincere
,
capricious
,
flippant
,
uncommitted
,
flighty
Additional synonyms
in the sense of acute
Definition
(of a disease) sudden and severe
The war aggravated an acute economic crisis.
Synonyms
serious,
important,
dangerous,
critical,
crucial (informal),
alarming,
severe,
grave,
sudden,
urgent,
decisive
in the sense of bad
Definition
severe
The pain is often so bad she wants to scream.
Synonyms
severe,
serious,
terrible,
acute,
extreme,
intense,
painful,
distressing,
fierce,
harsh
in the sense of careful
Definition
cautious in attitude or action
One has to be extremely careful when dealing with these people.
Synonyms
cautious,
painstaking,
scrupulous,
fastidious,
circumspect,
punctilious (formal),
chary,
heedful,
thoughtful,
discreet
Synonyms of 'serious'
serious
Explore 'serious' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of critical
Definition
so seriously ill or injured as to be in danger of dying
Ten of the injured are said to be in a critical condition.
Synonyms
grave,
serious,
dangerous,
acute,
risky,
hairy (slang),
precarious,
perilous
in the sense of crucial
Definition
of exceptional importance
the most crucial election campaign in years
Synonyms
vital,
important,
pressing,
essential,
urgent,
momentous,
high-priority
in the sense of cultured
Definition
showing good taste or manners
He is a cultured man with a wide circle of friends.
Synonyms
refined,
advanced,
polished,
intellectual,
educated,
sophisticated,
accomplished,
scholarly,
enlightened,
knowledgeable,
well-informed,
genteel,
urbane,
erudite,
highbrow,
well-bred,
well-read
in the sense of earnest
Definition
serious and sincere, often excessively so
Rupert was an earnest young man.
Synonyms
serious,
keen,
grave,
intense,
steady,
dedicated,
eager,
enthusiastic,
passionate,
sincere,
thoughtful,
solemn,
ardent,
fervent,
impassioned,
zealous,
staid,
keen as mustard
in the sense of extreme
Definition
of a high or the highest degree or intensity
people living in extreme poverty
Synonyms
great,
high,
highest,
greatest,
worst,
supreme,
acute,
severe,
maximum,
intense,
ultimate,
utmost,
mother of all (informal),
uttermost
in the sense of far-reaching
Definition
extensive in influence, effect, or range
far-reaching reforms on human rights
Synonyms
extensive,
important,
significant,
sweeping,
broad,
widespread,
pervasive,
momentous
in the sense of fateful
Definition
having important, and usually disastrous, consequences
What changed for him in that fateful year?
Synonyms
crucial (informal),
important,
significant,
critical,
decisive,
momentous,
portentous
in the sense of genuine
Definition
sincerely felt
There was genuine joy in the room.
Synonyms
heartfelt,
sincere,
honest,
earnest,
real,
true,
frank,
unaffected,
wholehearted,
unadulterated,
unalloyed,
unfeigned
in the sense of grievous
Definition
very severe or painful
He survived in spite of suffering grievous injuries.
Synonyms
severe,
damaging,
heavy,
wounding,
grave,
painful,
distressing,
dreadful,
harmful,
afflicting,
calamitous,
injurious
in the sense of highbrow
Definition
a person with such tastes
He presents his own highbrow literary programme.
Synonyms
intellectual,
cultured,
sophisticated,
deep,
cultivated,
brainy (informal),
highbrowed,
bookish
Additional synonyms
in the sense of honest
Definition
open and sincere in relationships and attitudes
I was honest about what I was doing.
Synonyms
open,
direct,
frank,
plain,
straightforward,
outright,
sincere,
candid,
forthright,
upfront (informal),
undisguised,
round,
ingenuous,
unfeigned
in the sense of humourless
He was a straight-faced, humourless character.
Synonyms
serious,
intense,
solemn,
straight,
dry,
dour,
unfunny,
po-faced,
unsmiling,
heavy-going,
unamused,
unamusing
in the sense of in earnest
Definition
with serious or sincere intentions
I can never tell whether he is in earnest or not.
Synonyms
genuine,
serious,
sincere,
honest,
dinkum (Australian, New Zealand, informal),
not joking
in the sense of intellectual
Definition
clever or intelligent
They were very intellectual and witty.
Synonyms
scholarly,
learned,
academic,
lettered,
intelligent,
rational,
cerebral,
erudite,
scholastic,
highbrow,
well-read,
studious,
bookish
in the sense of literary
Definition
knowledgeable about literature
a literary masterpiece
Synonyms
well-read,
lettered,
learned,
formal,
intellectual,
scholarly,
literate,
erudite,
bookish
in the sense of momentous
Definition
of great significance
the momentous decision to send in the troops
Synonyms
significant,
important,
serious,
vital,
critical,
crucial (informal),
grave,
historic,
decisive,
pivotal,
fateful,
weighty,
consequential,
of moment,
earth-shaking (informal)
in the sense of pensive
Definition
deeply thoughtful, often with a tinge of sadness
She looked suddenly sombre and pensive.
Synonyms
thoughtful,
serious,
sad,
blue (informal),
grave,
sober,
musing,
preoccupied,
melancholy,
solemn,
reflective,
dreamy,
wistful,
mournful,
contemplative,
meditative,
sorrowful,
ruminative,
in a brown study (informal),
cogitative
in the sense of pressing
Definition
demanding immediate attention
There is a pressing need for more funds.
Synonyms
urgent,
serious,
burning,
vital,
crucial (informal),
imperative,
important,
constraining,
high-priority,
now or never,
importunate (formal),
exigent
in the sense of profound
Definition
showing or needing great knowledge
a book full of profound and challenging insights
Synonyms
wise,
learned,
serious,
deep,
skilled,
subtle,
penetrating,
philosophical,
thoughtful,
sage,
discerning,
weighty,
insightful,
erudite,
abstruse,
recondite,
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of resolute
Definition
firm in purpose or belief
a decisive and resolute international leader
Synonyms
determined,
set,
firm,
dogged,
fixed,
constant,
bold,
relentless,
stubborn,
stalwart,
staunch,
persevering,
inflexible,
purposeful,
tenacious,
undaunted,
strong-willed,
steadfast,
obstinate,
unwavering,
immovable,
unflinching,
unbending,
unshakable,
unshaken
Additional synonyms
in the sense of resolved
Definition
determined
He was resolved to stay till the end.
Synonyms
determined,
intent,
set on,
bent on,
resolute,
persistent
in the sense of scholarly
He was an intellectual, scholarly man.
Synonyms
learned,
academic,
intellectual,
lettered,
erudite,
scholastic,
well-read,
studious,
bookish,
swotty (British, informal)
in the sense of sedate
Definition
quiet, calm, and dignified
She took them to visit her sedate, elderly cousins.
Synonyms
calm,
collected,
quiet,
seemly,
serious,
earnest,
cool,
grave,
proper,
middle-aged,
composed,
sober,
dignified,
solemn,
serene,
tranquil,
placid,
staid,
demure,
unflappable (informal),
unruffled,
decorous,
imperturbable
in the sense of severe
Definition
very intense or unpleasant
a business with severe cash flow problems
Synonyms
serious,
critical,
terrible,
desperate,
alarming,
extreme,
grave,
awful,
distressing,
appalling,
dire,
drastic,
very bad,
catastrophic,
woeful,
ruinous
in the sense of significant
Definition
very important
It is the first drug that seems to have a significant effect on this disease.
Synonyms
important,
marked,
notable,
striking,
serious,
material,
vital,
critical,
considerable,
impressive,
pronounced,
conspicuous,
momentous,
weighty,
noteworthy
in the sense of sober
Definition
serious and thoughtful
We are now far more sober and realistic.
Synonyms
serious,
practical,
realistic,
sound,
cool,
calm,
grave,
reasonable,
steady,
composed,
rational,
solemn,
lucid,
sedate,
staid,
level-headed,
dispassionate,
unruffled,
clear-headed,
unexcited,
grounded
in the sense of sophisticated
Definition
intelligent, knowledgeable, or able to appreciate culture and the arts
Recently her tastes have become more sophisticated.
Synonyms
cultured,
refined,
cultivated,
worldly,
cosmopolitan,
urbane,
jet-set,
world-weary,
citified,
worldly-wise
in the sense of staid
Definition
serious, rather dull, and old-fashioned in behaviour or appearance
a staid country doctor
Synonyms
sedate,
serious,
sober,
quiet,
calm,
grave,
steady,
composed,
solemn,
demure,
decorous,
self-restrained,
set in your ways
in the sense of urgent
Definition
requiring speedy action or attention
There is an urgent need for food and water.
Synonyms
crucial (informal),
desperate,
pressing,
great,
important,
crying,
critical,
immediate,
acute,
grave,
instant,
compelling,
imperative,
top-priority,
now or never,
exigent,
not to be delayed
in the sense of weighty
Definition
important or serious
Surely such weighty matters merit a higher level of debate?