- 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.
- serious for somebody/something This situation could be very serious for her.
Extra ExamplesTopics Health problemsa2, Crime and punishmenta2- 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.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- look
- seem
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- for
- nothing serious
- serious enough to warrant something
Definitions on the go
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- 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.
Synonyms seriousseriousgrave ▪ earnest ▪ solemnThese words all describe somebody who thinks and behaves carefully and sensibly, but often without much joy or laughter.serious thinking about things in a careful and sensible way; not laughing about something:- He’s not really a very serious person.
- Be serious for a moment; this is important.
- He looked very grave as he entered the room.
- The earnest young doctor answered all our questions.
- Her expression grew solemn.
- I made a solemn promise that I would return.
- a(n) serious/grave/earnest/solemn expression/face
- a serious/solemn mood/atmosphere
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.
- 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.
- serious about doing something Is she serious about wanting to sell the house?
- He knew it was time to get serious about losing weight.
- serious about somebody/something He's really serious about Penny and wants to get engaged.
- She doesn’t have a serious boyfriend.
- (informal) 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!
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- look
- sound
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- about
- 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.
- 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.
- (informal) 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).
bad
not silly
not joking
needing thought
important
large amount
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French serieux or late Latin seriosus, from Latin serius ‘earnest, serious’.
Check pronunciation:
serious