serious
serious Lexical Profile
serious Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Significant, severe, or worrying because of possible danger, harm, or unfavorable consequences; demanding careful consideration or urgent action.
"The environmental committee met to address the serious decline in local honeybee populations."
Thoughtful, solemn, and subdued in manner, character, or appearance; not given to lightheartedness or joking.
"He maintained a serious expression throughout the entire courtroom testimony."
Acting or speaking sincerely and in earnest, rather than joking, pretending, or being superficial.
"She made a serious offer to purchase the historic bookstore before it closed."
Requiring deep thought, intellectual effort, or aesthetic appreciation; having high artistic, scholarly, or professional standards rather than being intended merely for casual entertainment.
"The journal publishes serious scholarship on ancient Mediterranean history."
Substantial or impressive in size, amount, degree, or quality (often used informally).
"Restoring the nineteenth-century farmhouse will require some serious time and financial investment."
• Rhymes for serious
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-15th century from Middle French serieux or directly from Late Latin seriosus, derived from Latin serius meaning 'weighty, grave, or earnest,' which is ultimately related to a Germanic root meaning 'heavy' or 'slow.'