seriously

B1 · Intermediate

adv. to a great or dangerous degree.

adv. to a severe or critical extent; used to intensify negative states or injuries.

“Several people were seriously injured in the car accident last night.”

“The local ecosystem was seriously affected by the chemical spill, requiring years of intensive restoration efforts.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

adv. you use this to stop joking and start talking about something important.

adv. used as a sentence adverb to signal a transition from a humorous or lighthearted tone to a sincere one.

“Seriously, we need to decide who is driving to the wedding.”

“Seriously though, if we don't address the budget deficit now, we won't have any funding for next year's projects.”

B1 · Intermediate Informal

adv. you say this when you are surprised or cannot believe what someone said.

adv. used as an exclamation or a question to express incredulity, annoyance, or emphasis.

“Seriously? You spent two hundred dollars on a pair of shoes?”

“Seriously? After all the help I gave him, he didn't even bother to send a thank-you note.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal · Slang

adv. very or extremely; used to make an adjective stronger.

adv. used as a high-intensity degree adverb to modify adjectives.

“That new video game is seriously cool.”

“The view from the top of the mountain was seriously impressive, making the four-hour climb feel entirely worth the effort.”