Time Extra Examples Adjective ˈsɪəriəs ˈsɪriəs Illness/Offence/Crime Problem/Issue

• a serious illness/offence/crime
• a serious problem/issue
• to cause serious injury/damage/harm
• they pose a serious threat to security.

serious

1. bad or dangerous
• a serious illness/offence/crime
• a serious problem/issue
• to cause serious injury/damage/harm
• They pose a serious threat to security.
• The consequences could be serious.
• A few years ago, the company was in serious trouble.
• Their economies continue to face serious challenges.
• She is in serious financial trouble.
• She is now in a serious condition in Belfast Hospital.
• This situation could be very serious for her.

Extra Examples

• By this time the riots were getting serious.
• The crime is considered serious enough to warrant a jail term.
• These are terribly serious allegations.
• He admitted to having made a serious error of judgement.
• He died after suffering from a serious illness.
• The storm caused serious damage to farm buildings.
• The country is now facing a serious political crisis.
• The children were considered to be at serious risk of harm.
• Your chances of having a serious accident at work can be quite high.
2. thinking about things in a careful and sensible way; not silly
• Be serious for a moment; this is important.
• I'm afraid I'm not a very serious person.

Extra Examples

• He became serious all of a sudden.
• She was looking at him with a serious expression on her face.
• Suddenly the conversation turned serious.
3. sincere about something; not joking or meant as a joke
• Believe me, I'm deadly (= extremely) serious.
• Don't laugh, it's a serious suggestion.
• Is she serious about wanting to sell the house?
• He knew it was time to get serious about losing weight.
• He's really serious about Penny and wants to get engaged.
• She doesn’t have a serious boyfriend.
• You can't be serious! (= you must be joking)
• You think I did it? Be serious! (= what you suggest is ridiculous)

Extra Examples

• Are you serious about resigning?
• Joe is deadly serious in his beliefs.
• Please try to stay serious!
4. needing to be thought about carefully; not only for pleasure
• a serious article
• a serious newspaper
• an appreciation of serious music
• serious drama/fiction

Extra Examples

• Why do you waste your time reading that? It's hardly a serious newspaper, is it?
• This book is the first serious study of the subject.
• The speech was interesting, if a little serious for such a young audience.
• It's time for a serious debate about the issue.
5. that must be treated as important
• a serious matter
• serious questions/concerns/doubts
• serious allegations/charges
• It's time to give serious consideration to this matter.
• Please give it some serious thought before you make a decision.
• The subject has received little serious attention.
• We need to get down to the serious business of working out costs.
• The team is a serious contender for the title this year.
6. used to emphasize that there is a large amount of something
• You can earn serious money doing that.
• I'm ready to do some serious eating (= I am very hungry).

Word Origin

• late Middle English: from Old French serieux or late Latin seriosus, from Latin serius ‘earnest, serious’.