Serious Meaning and Definition
Serious
Pronunciation
/ˈsɪəriəs/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Severe; grave; of great importance; not joking or trifling.
Examples
- The serious injury required immediate medical attention.
- The company took a serious approach to addressing the environmental concerns.
Synonyms
- Severe
- Grave
- Important
Antonyms
- Trivial
- Frivolous
- Jocular
Etymology
The word “serious” has its roots in Old French “seriuz”, which is derived from the Latin “serius”, meaning “late” or “serious”.
Usage Notes
In formal writing, “serious” is often used to convey a sense of gravity or importance. In informal contexts, it may be used to describe something that is funny or ironic.
Cultural References
The phrase “serious business” has been used in popular culture, such as in the TV show “The Office”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Serious business
- Serious as a heart attack
Related Words or Phrases
- Gravity
- Irony
- Stern
Collocations
- Serious injury
- Serious mistake
- Serious issue
Frequency of Use
Serious is a common word in modern language, with a frequency of use similar to other general-purpose adjectives like “large” or “happy”.
Common Misspellings
- Serious -> Sereious
- Serious -> Sierous