seriously

Word parts

serious + -ly

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈsɪəri.əsli/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈsɪri.əsli/ or /ˈsiri.əsli/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adverb

Positive seriously

Comparative more seriously

Superlative most seriously

1. You use seriously to show that you are not joking.

   Seriously, I talked to the president this morning.

2. You use seriously to ask if something is true.

   "I got up at 4:00 this morning." "Seriously?"

3. If you take something seriously, you believe it.

   It's hard to take him seriously, when he's always laughing.

Related words

• serious