se·ri·ous
Pronounced:
/ˈsirijəs/
Function:
adjectiveMeaning:
[more se*ri*ous; most se*ri*ous] 1 : having an important or dangerous possible result ▪ a serious injury/illness/condition ▪ “You sound terrible.” “It's just a bad cold. Nothing serious.” ▪ serious risks ▪ For my brother, not going to college was a serious mistake. ▪ Crime is a serious problem in this neighborhood.
2 : involving or deserving a lot of thought, attention, or work ▪ a serious study ▪ The team is a serious contender for the championship. ▪ If you want to quit smoking, you have to make a serious effort. ▪ They had a serious conversation about their relationship. ▪ a serious novel about modern life ▪ The story raises serious questions about our system of justice. ▪ Dog shows are a serious business.
3 : giving a lot of attention or energy to something ▪ serious musicians ▪ She is a serious cyclist who rides 200 miles each week. ▪ Serious journalists do not pry into the personal lives of famous people. ▪ When it comes to fishing, he's very serious. = He's very serious about fishing. ▪ My sister is serious about her grades.
4 : not joking or funny ▪ a serious story/opera ▪ Don't laugh. I'm serious! ▪ Can you be serious just this once? This is important. ▪ He is serious about moving down South. [=he truly wants/intends to move down South] ▪ “He says he won't do it.” “Are you serious?” ▪ “I'm joining the army.” “You can't be serious.” [=you have to be joking; I can't believe that you're really joining the army]
5 always used before a noun informal : large or impressive in quality or amount ▪ After business school, he started making some serious money. [=he started making a large amount of money] ▪ These are serious shoes! ▪ They did some serious drinking at the bar. [=they drank a lot]
6 : having or involving strong romantic feelings ▪ Their romance is quite serious. They're even talking about marriage. ▪ We've dated a few times, but it's nothing serious. ▪ They are a serious couple. ▪ He's never really had a serious relationship with a woman. —often + about ▪ She and her boyfriend are serious about each other.
7 : thoughtful or quiet in appearance or manner ▪ He looks like a serious person. ▪ You look serious. What's the matter?
2 : involving or deserving a lot of thought, attention, or work ▪ a serious study ▪ The team is a serious contender for the championship. ▪ If you want to quit smoking, you have to make a serious effort. ▪ They had a serious conversation about their relationship. ▪ a serious novel about modern life ▪ The story raises serious questions about our system of justice. ▪ Dog shows are a serious business.
3 : giving a lot of attention or energy to something ▪ serious musicians ▪ She is a serious cyclist who rides 200 miles each week. ▪ Serious journalists do not pry into the personal lives of famous people. ▪ When it comes to fishing, he's very serious. = He's very serious about fishing. ▪ My sister is serious about her grades.
4 : not joking or funny ▪ a serious story/opera ▪ Don't laugh. I'm serious! ▪ Can you be serious just this once? This is important. ▪ He is serious about moving down South. [=he truly wants/intends to move down South] ▪ “He says he won't do it.” “Are you serious?” ▪ “I'm joining the army.” “You can't be serious.” [=you have to be joking; I can't believe that you're really joining the army]
5 always used before a noun informal : large or impressive in quality or amount ▪ After business school, he started making some serious money. [=he started making a large amount of money] ▪ These are serious shoes! ▪ They did some serious drinking at the bar. [=they drank a lot]
6 : having or involving strong romantic feelings ▪ Their romance is quite serious. They're even talking about marriage. ▪ We've dated a few times, but it's nothing serious. ▪ They are a serious couple. ▪ He's never really had a serious relationship with a woman. —often + about ▪ She and her boyfriend are serious about each other.
7 : thoughtful or quiet in appearance or manner ▪ He looks like a serious person. ▪ You look serious. What's the matter?