serious

adjective Etymology: Middle English seryows, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French serious, from Late Latin seriosus, alteration of Latin serius weighty, serious; probably akin to Old English swǣr heavy, sad Date: 15th century 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. a. not joking or trifling ; being in earnest <

a serious question

> b. archaic pious c. deeply interested ; devoted <

a serious musician

> 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: serious, grave, solemn, sedate, staid, sober, earnest mean not light or frivolous. serious implies a concern for what really matters <

a serious play about social injustice

>. grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude <

read the proclamation in a grave voice

>. solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity <

a sad and solemn occasion

>. sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness <

remained sedate amid the commotion

>. staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint <

a quiet and staid community

>. sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity <

a sober look at the state of our schools

>. earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose <

an earnest reformer

>.