Meaning of serious In English

• 0 severe in effect; bad:

  • a serious illness

  • There were no reports of serious injuries.

  • The new tax regulations have landed some of the smaller companies in serious trouble.

  • Drugs have become a serious problem in a lot of schools.

  • This is a very serious offence.

  • He's been taken to hospital where his condition is described as serious but stable.

• 1 not joking or intended to be funny:

  • Please don't laugh - I'm being serious.

  • He was wearing a very serious expression and I knew something was wrong.

  • On the surface it's a very funny novel but it does have a more serious underlying theme.

  • I remember her as a very serious child.

• 2 determined to follow a particular plan of action:

  • Is she serious about going to live abroad?

  • She's had a lot of boyfriends but Simon's the only one she's been serious about.

• 3 needing or deserving your complete attention:

  • That's an interesting job offer - I'd give it some serious consideration if I were you.

  • We've got some serious talking to do, you and me.

• 4 extreme in degree or amount:

  • We did some fairly serious walking over the weekend.

  • I mean we're talking serious (= a large amount of) money, right?

  • This is a serious wine, Belle, you have to try some.

• 5 not joking; not intended to amuse:

  • You can never tell when he’s serious.

• 6 needing complete attention:

  • That’s an interesting job offer – I’d give it serious consideration if I were you.

• 7 severe in effect; bad:

  • Fortunately, there were no serious injuries.

• 8 determined to follow a particular plan of action:

  • Is she serious about moving to Nevada?

  • You have to start getting serious about your studies.