se ‧ ri ‧ ous ‧ ly S2 W2 /ˈsɪəriəsli $ ˈsɪr-/ BrE AmE adverb
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ seriousness ; adverb : ↑ seriously ; adjective : ↑ serious ]
1 . very much or to a great degree
seriously ill/injured/damaged etc
Was she seriously hurt?
I’m seriously worried about Ben.
Something was seriously wrong.
2 .
a) in a way that is not joking, especially because something is important:
It’s time we talked seriously about our relationship.
b) [sentence adverb] spoken used to show that what you say next is not a joke:
Seriously though, I think Toby likes you.
3 . take somebody/something seriously to believe that someone or something is worth your attention or respect:
As a teacher, it’s important that the kids take you seriously.
It’s only a joke – don’t take it seriously!
4 . seriously? spoken used to ask someone if they really mean what they have just said:
‘The job’s yours.’ ‘Seriously?’
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ seriously ill
Her mother is seriously ill in hospital.
▪ seriously/injured/hurt/wounded
He was seriously injured in a car accident on Friday.
▪ seriously damaged
His reputation had been seriously damaged.
▪ seriously affected
A number of bird sanctuaries were seriously affected by the oil spill.
▪ seriously flawed (=having a bad weakness or fault)
From the outset, this project was seriously flawed.
▪ seriously wrong
I was worried there was something seriously wrong with me.
▪ seriously worried
Hazel was now seriously worried.