serious Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
    • a serious student of history
    • a serious attempt to learn to ski
    • gave me a serious look
    • a serious young man
    • are you serious or joking?
    • Don't be so serious!
  2. adjective satellite of great consequence
    • marriage is a serious matter
  3. adjective satellite causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm
    grievous; life-threatening; dangerous; severe; grave.
    • a dangerous operation
    • a grave situation
    • a grave illness
    • grievous bodily harm
    • a serious wound
    • a serious turn of events
    • a severe case of pneumonia
    • a life-threatening disease
  4. adjective satellite appealing to the mind
    good.
    • good music
    • a serious book
  5. adjective completely lacking in playfulness
    sober; unplayful.
  6. adjective satellite requiring effort or concentration; complex and not easy to answer or solve
    • raised serious objections to the proposal
    • the plan has a serious flaw

WordNet

Se"ri*ous adjective
Etymology
L. serius: cf. F. sérieux, LL. seriosus.
Definitions
  1. Grave in manner or disposition; earnest; thoughtful; solemn; not light, gay, or volatile.
    He is always serious, yet there is about his manner a graceful ease. Macaulay.
  2. Really intending what is said; being in earnest; not jesting or deceiving. Beaconsfield.
  3. Important; weighty; not trifling; grave.
    The holy Scriptures bring to our ears the most serious things in the world. Young.
  4. Hence, giving rise to apprehension; attended with danger; as, a serious injury. Syn. -- Grave; solemn; earnest; sedate; important; weighty. See Grave. -- Se"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- Se"ri*ous*ness, n.

Webster 1913