serious

Etymology

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.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈsɪə̯.ɹi.əs/, /ˈsɪː.ɹi.əs/

• Audio (UK):

  (file)

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈsɪɚ.i.əs/, /ˈsɪɹ.i.əs/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪəɹiəs
• Homophones: cereous, Sirius (one pronunciation)

Adjective

serious (comparative more serious, superlative most serious)

1. Without humor or expression of happiness; grave in manner or disposition

   Synonyms: earnest, solemn

   deadly serious

   It was a surprise to see the captain, who had always seemed so serious, laugh so heartily.

2. Important; weighty; not insignificant

   This is a serious problem. We'll need our best experts.

3. Really intending what is said (or planned, etc); in earnest; not jocular or deceiving

   After all these years, we're finally getting serious attention.

   He says he wants to buy the team, but is he serious?

4. (of a relationship) Committed.

Adverb

serious (not comparable)

1. (colloquial or dialect) seriously, in a serious manner (most often heard in take or mean serious)
   • 1957, Ray Lawler, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, Sydney: Fontana Books, published 1974, page 68:

     The only time I walk out on singin' is when there's muckin' about and youse don't take it serious.

Further reading

• “serious”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “serious”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.