ENGLISH
REFERENCE

serious

adj.
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈsɪɹiəs// UK //sˈiəɹɪəs// se·ri·ous Dialect General-service Informal

adj. important or needing a lot of thought and care. You use it to describe things that are not jokes and people who do not laugh much.

adj. demanding careful consideration due to importance or potential danger; not lighthearted or superficial in character.


SIMPLE

We need to have a serious talk about your future.

CONTEXTUAL

The doctor said the injury is serious and requires immediate surgery to prevent further damage.

COMPLEX

While the initial reports were dismissed as rumors, the government eventually issued a serious warning regarding the economic stability of the region.

Synonyms
Antonyms
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 *swer- (“heavy”). Cognate with German schwer (“heavy, difficult, severe”), Old English swǣr (“heavy, grave, grievous”). More at swear, sweer.

Usage

Typically precedes the noun it modifies or follows a linking verb like 'be' or 'become'.

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