Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
Serious problems or situations are very bad and cause people to be worried or afraid.
Crime is an increasingly ~ problem in Russian society...
The government still face very ~ difficulties...
Doctors said his condition was ~ but stable.
ADJ
~ly
If this ban was to come in it would ~ly damage my business...
They are not thought to be ~ly hurt.
ADV: ADV adj/adv, ADV with v
~ness
...the ~ness of the crisis.
N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n
2.
Serious matters are important and deserve careful and thoughtful consideration.
I regard this as a ~ matter...
Don’t laugh boy. This is ~.
ADJ
3.
When important matters are dealt with in a ~ way, they are given careful and thoughtful consideration.
My parents never really faced up to my drug use in any ~ way...
It was a question which deserved ~ consideration.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ly
The management will have to think ~ly about their positions.
ADV: ADV with v
4.
Serious music or literature requires concentration to understand or appreciate it.
There is no point reviewing a blockbuster as you might review a ~ novel.
ADJ: ADJ n
5.
If someone is ~ about something, they are sincere about what they are saying, doing, or intending to do.
You really are ~ about this, aren’t you?...
I hope you’re not ~.
ADJ: oft ADJ about n
~ly
Are you ~ly jealous of Erica?
ADV: ADV adj/adv, ADV with v
~ness
In all ~ness, there is nothing else I can do...
N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n
6.
Serious people are thoughtful and quiet, and do not laugh very often.
He’s quite a ~ person...
ADJ
~ly
They spoke to me very ~ly but politely.
ADV: ADV with v