seriously
/ˈsɪərɪəsli
/adverb
1In a solemn or considered manner: the doctor looked seriously at him...
- They treated my questions seriously and thoughtfully, helping me to see how Christianity answers the issues raised by modern culture.
Synonyms
solemnly, earnestly, gravely, soberly, sombrely, without smiling, with a poker face, sternly, grimly, dourly, humourlessly;
thoughtfully, pensively, meditatively, ruminatively, contemplatively
2With earnest intent; not lightly or superficially: I seriously considered cancelling my subscription...
- I also observe that while not bound to accept a joint submission, the court must seriously consider it and not lightly reject it.
- Be sure you understand the details of cruise cancellation terms, and seriously consider buying travel insurance.
- I seriously consider calling him and cancelling if he is still far away.
2.1Really or sincerely: do you seriously believe that I would jeopardize my career by such acts?...
- See, he actually, seriously believed he was a demon hunter and could see demons.
- I do not know of any member in this House - young or old - who honestly seriously believed that.
- Nobody seriously believes that teaching children in batches of 20 or 30 can offer an appropriately individualised education.
Synonyms
really, actually, honestly
really?, is that so? is that a fact? you're joking! well I never, well I never did, go on, you don't say
informal you're kidding! well knock/blow me down with a feather
British informal well I'll be blowed
North American informal well what do you know about that?
archaic go to
2.2 [sentence adverb] Used to add sincerity to a statement, especially after a facetious exchange of remarks: seriously though, short cuts rarely work...
- Nah, seriously though, the forum really isn't worth the trouble.
- Seriously though I think she has a point.
- No seriously though, now that I noticed it I can't help but wonder why this is.
Synonyms
joking aside/apart, to be serious, honestly, without joking, no joking, truthfully, truly, I mean it
informal Scout's honour
British informal straight up
dated honest Injun
3To a degree that is significant or worrying: the amount of fat you eat can seriously affect your health [as submodifier]: three men are seriously ill in hospital...
- The successfully treated seriously ill are also affected by these service inadequacies.
- The new hospital will concentrate on very seriously ill children and specialist cases.
- Consumers can become seriously ill if they eat an egg that is not fully cooked and contaminated with salmonella.
Synonyms
severely, gravely, badly, critically, acutely, sorely, grievously, desperately, alarmingly, dangerously, perilously
4 [as submodifier] informal Very; extremely: he was seriously rich...
- But coming from someone with mad staring eyes, and who writes like Job in a seriously bad mood, this is all a bit hypocritical.
- The dog tried to do some seriously extreme bouncing.
- I am seriously bummed, though, that she didn't come after all.
Synonyms
extremely, very, really, dreadfully, terribly, awfully, fearfully, incredibly, amazingly, exceptionally, exceedingly, immensely, uncommonly, remarkably, extraordinarily;
Scottish unco;
French très
informal terrifically, tremendously, right, ultra, mega, mucho, stinking, majorly, oh-so, madly
British informal jolly, ever so, dead, well
North American informal real, mighty, awful, powerful, way, bitching
South African informal lekker
informal, dated devilish, frightfully
archaic exceeding
Phrases
take someone/thing seriously