serious

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈsɪr.i.əs/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈsɪə.ri.əs/

• Audio (US)

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• Audio (UK)

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Adjective

Positive serious

Comparative more serious

Superlative most serious

1. A problem or situation is serious if it is not funny or comical, but important.

   This is a serious problem. We must do something.

2. A person is serious if the person is not laughing or joking, but saying what they mean.

   I see. When you said the room was empty, you were serious!

   The woman's face looked serious, so I knew she was saying something important.

Related words

• seriously
• seriousness
• solemn