SERIOUS


Meaning of SERIOUS in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈsir-ē-əs ]

adjective

Etymology: Middle English seryows, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French serious, from Late Latin seriosus, alteration of Latin serius weighty, serious; probably akin to Old English swǣr heavy, sad

Date: 15th century

1. : thoughtful or subdued in appearance or manner : sober

a quiet, serious girl

2.

a. : requiring much thought or work

serious study

b. : of or relating to a matter of importance

a serious play

3.

a. : not joking or trifling : being in earnest

a serious question

b. archaic : pious

c. : deeply interested : devoted

a serious musician

4.

a. : not easily answered or solved

serious objections

b. : having important or dangerous possible consequences

a serious injury

5. : excessive or impressive in quality, quantity, extent, or degree

serious stereo equipment

making serious money

serious drinking

• se·ri·ous·ness noun

Synonyms:

serious , grave , solemn , sedate , staid , sober , earnest mean not light or frivolous. serious implies a concern for what really matters

a serious play about social injustice

grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude

read the proclamation in a grave voice

solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity

a sad and solemn occasion

sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness

remained sedate amid the commotion

staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint

a quiet and staid community

sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity

a sober look at the state of our schools

earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose

an earnest reformer

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.