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Definition of sirius

sirius

/ˈsɪr.i.əs/
Sir · i · us
Adjective:Sirian
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sirius Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A binary star system in the constellation Canis Major that appears as the brightest star in the Earth's night sky, commonly known as the Dog Star.

Example

"On clear winter evenings, astronomers can easily locate Sirius just below the belt of the constellation Orion."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sirius

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse Sirius (the proper noun naming the brightest star in the night sky) with its homophone 'serious' (an adjective meaning solemn, important, or earnest).

• Rhymes for sirius

• Nearby Words

siret
sirex
siri
sirius
sirloin
sirree
sirystes

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Latin Sirius, from Ancient Greek Seirios, meaning 'glowing' or 'scorching,' in reference to the star's extreme brilliance and its association with the hot 'dog days' of summer.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sirius. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sirius
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