1
: thoughtful or subdued in appearance or manner : sober
a quiet, serious girl
2
a
: requiring much thought or work
serious study
b
: of or relating to a matter of importance
a serious play
3
4
a
: not easily answered or solved
serious objections
b
: having important or dangerous possible consequences
a serious injury
5
: excessive or impressive in quality, quantity, extent, or degree
serious stereo equipment
making serious money
serious drinking
seriousness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of serious in a Sentence
“You sound terrible.” “It's just a bad cold. Nothing serious.”
For my brother, not going to college was a serious mistake.
Crime is a serious problem in this neighborhood.
The team is a serious contender for the championship.
If you want to quit smoking, you have to make a serious effort.
They had a serious conversation about their relationship.
a serious novel about modern life
The story raises serious questions about our system of justice.
Dog shows are a serious business.
She is a serious cyclist who rides 200 miles each week.
Recent Examples on the Web
Scorpio October 23 – November 21 Self-expression can be a serious thing at this time.
—
Tarot.com, Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2024
President Joe Biden directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to clarify that the 1986 Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) requires doctors to provide abortions when necessary in emergencies to prevent death or serious illness.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024
Such visas are granted to undocumented immigrants who report serious crimes and cooperate with law enforcement.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 27 June 2024
The crash occurred Sunday just before 7:30 p.m. on Anderson Avenue, where officers responded on the report of a serious motor vehicle crash involving life-threatening injuries, according to the Milford Police Department.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for serious 
Tarot.com, Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2024
President Joe Biden directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to clarify that the 1986 Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) requires doctors to provide abortions when necessary in emergencies to prevent death or serious illness.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024
Such visas are granted to undocumented immigrants who report serious crimes and cooperate with law enforcement.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 27 June 2024
The crash occurred Sunday just before 7:30 p.m. on Anderson Avenue, where officers responded on the report of a serious motor vehicle crash involving life-threatening injuries, according to the Milford Police Department.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for serious
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'serious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near serious
Cite this Entry
“Serious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serious. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
serious
adjective
se·ri·ous
ˈsir-ē-əs 
1
: thoughtful or quiet in appearance or manner
2
a
: requiring much thought or work
serious study
b
: of or relating to a matter of importance
a serious novel
3
: not joking or funny
4
: having important or dangerous possible consequences
a serious injury
seriously
adverb
seriousness
noun
Medical Definition
serious
adjective
se·ri·ous
ˈsir-ē-əs
: having important or dangerous possible consequences
a serious injury
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