serious

se-ri-ous · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Demanding careful consideration or application; not trivial.

  2. 2.

    Not joking or given to levity; earnest.

  3. 3.

    (of a person) Solemn or thoughtful in character.

  4. 4.

    Significant or worrying because of possible danger.

  5. 5.

    (informal) Substantial in degree or amount.

Related words

Antonyms: frivolous, humorous, lighthearted, trivial
See also: earnest, grave, important
Synonyms: earnest, grave, severe, solemn

Etymology

From Middle French sérieux, from Late Latin sēriōsus ("serious, earnest"), from Latin sērius ("grave, earnest"). The ultimate origin is uncertain, possibly related to serus ("late") or a pre-Latin substrate word.