lacking humour

serious

serious [adjective] (NOT JOKING)

Not joking or intended to be funny

US /ˈsɪr.i.əs/ 
UK /ˈsɪə.ri.əs/ 

جدی

Example: 

He takes serious intrest in the theater.

او علاقه ی جدی ای به تئاتر دارد. 

Oxford Essential Dictionary

serious

 adjective

1 very bad:
That was a serious mistake.
They had a serious accident.

2 important:
a serious decision

3 not funny:
a serious film

4 If you are serious, you are not joking or playing:
Are you serious about going to live in Spain?
You look very serious. Is something wrong?

>> seriousness noun (no plural):
The boy didn't understand the seriousness of his crime.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

serious

serious S1 W1 /ˈsɪəriəs $ ˈsɪr-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑seriousness; adverb: ↑seriously; adjective: ↑serious]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: sérieux, from Late Latin seriosus, from Latin serius]
1. SITUATION/PROBLEM a serious situation, problem, accident etc is extremely bad or dangerous:
the serious problem of unemployment
Luckily, the damage was not serious.
Serious crimes have increased dramatically.
serious injury/illness/accident etc
a serious accident on the freeway
Oil spills pose a serious threat to marine life.
The president was in serious trouble. ⇨ see Thesaurus box on P. 1590
2. IMPORTANT important and needing a lot of thought or attention:
This is a very serious matter.
the serious business of earning a living
Be quiet, Jim. This is serious.
3. NOT JOKING OR PRETENDING if someone is serious about something they say or plan to do, they really mean it and are not joking or pretending:
His voice suddenly became more serious.
a serious article
serious about
Is she serious about giving up her job?
deadly/dead serious (=definitely not joking)
She sounded dead serious.
Marry Frank? You can’t be serious!
4. CAREFUL serious attention/consideration/thought careful and thorough attention etc:
I’ll give your suggestion serious consideration.
5. QUIET/SENSIBLE someone who is serious is very quiet and sensible, and does not laugh and joke much:
a serious student
6. WORRIED/UNHAPPY slightly worried or unhappy:
You look serious. What’s wrong?
7. ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP a serious romantic relationship is likely to continue for a long time:
It’s serious – they’ve been seeing each other for six months.
serious about
Are you really serious about her?
serious boyfriend/girlfriend
8. SPORT/ACTIVITY [only before noun] very interested in an activity or subject, and spending a lot of time doing it:
He’s become a serious golfer since he retired.
Chris is a serious photographer.
9. VERY GOOD [only before noun] informal very good and often expensive:
He’s got a serious car!
10. LARGE AMOUNT [only before noun] informal used to emphasize that you are talking about a large amount of something:
In industry, you can earn serious money.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
a serious problem Vandalism is a serious problem in the area.
a serious injury/illness The driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
a serious accident He is recovering from a serious accident.
serious damage The explosion sparked a fire which caused serious damage to their flat.
a serious threat In the developed world, over-consumption is now a serious threat to health.
a serious crime/offence Kidnapping is a serious crime.
serious trouble The economy was in serious trouble.
serious consequences Neglecting to make a proper will can have serious consequences.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ very bad
serious very bad – used about problems, accidents, illnesses, or crimes: Violent crime is a serious problem in and around the capital. | The boy was taken to hospital with serious head injuries. | Fortunately, the damage to the car was not serious.
severe very serious – used about problems, injuries, and illnesses: He suffered severe injuries in a car crash. | The problem became so severe that they had to bring water in from other countries. | severe epilepsy
grave used about a situation that is very serious and worrying, especially because it is dangerous or seems likely to get worse: A thick fog descended and I knew that we were in grave danger. | The situation is grave – war now seems inevitable.
acute used about an illness, problem, or situation that has become very serious or dangerous, and needs to be dealt with quickly: She was taken to the hospital suffering from acute appendicitis. | In San Diego, the shortage of skilled workers is acute.
desperate used about a situation or problem that is very serious or dangerous, especially because a lot of people need urgent help: The situation is desperate – people here need aid before the harsh winter sets in. | The hospital is full of people in desperate need of medical attention.
critical used about a situation that is very serious and dangerous and might get worse suddenly: In 1991, the food supply situation became critical. | Eight people were killed and four are still in a critical condition.
life-threatening used about a situation, illness, or condition in which someone could die: Her child had a potentially life-threatening illness. | The situation was not life-threatening, but it was very worrying.
be a matter of life and death spoken to be extremely serious – used when a situation is very urgent or important: For people living with HIV, getting the right treatment is literally a matter of life and death.
■ not joking
serious not joking or laughing, or not pretending: His voice sounded serious. | They seem to be serious about their relationship.
solemn very serious because of an important or sad occasion or ceremony: My father looked solemn, the way grown-ups look at funerals. | The judge read the verdict in a solemn voice.
grave written quiet and very serious – used especially about the way people look when something important or worrying happens: She consulted Doctor Staples and returned looking grave. | He listened with a grave expression on his face.
sombre British English (also somber American English) /ˈsɒmbə $ ˈsɑːmbər/ written sad, quiet, or serious because something unpleasant or worrying has happened or is going to happen: They sat in sombre silence. | The meeting began in a sombre mood.
earnest very serious and sincere – often used about someone who is young and not very experienced: He was a rather earnest-looking young man. | ‘That’s wrong,’ she said, her voice sounding very earnest.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

serious

ser·ious   [ˈsɪəriəs]    [ˈsɪriəs]  adjective

BAD
1. bad or dangerous
a serious illness/problem/offence
to cause serious injury/damage
They pose a serious threat to security.

The consequences could be serious.  

NEEDING THOUGHT

2. needing to be thought about carefully; not only for pleasure
a serious article
a serious newspaper

It's time to give serious consideration to this matter.  

IMPORTANT

3. that must be treated as important
We need to get down to the serious business of working out costs.

The team is a serious contender for the title this year.  

NOT SILLY

4. 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.  

NOT JOKING

5. sincere about sth; not joking or meant as a joke
Believe me, I'm deadly (= extremely) serious.
Don't laugh, it's a serious suggestion.
~ (about doing sth) Is she serious about wanting to sell the house?
~ (about sb/sth) 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)  

LARGE AMOUNT

6. (informal) used to emphasize that there is a large amount of sth
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’.  
Thesaurus:
serious [serious] adj.
1.
These explosives pose a serious threat to security.
severecriticalacuteextremedrasticdesperatelife-threatening|formal grave|especially BrE, formal dire|especially spoken bad
Opp: minor
a/an serious/severe/critical/acute/desperate/life-threatening/grave/bad problem
a/an severe/serious/acute/extreme/desperate/dire shortage
a/an severe/serious/critical/acute/life-threatening/grave illness
serious/severe/acute/extreme/grave danger
Serious or severe? Serious is not used to describe weather conditions:
a severe winter
 ¤ a serious winter Serious is used to describe medical conditions in everyday English; in medical English severe is used.
2.
Please give this matter some serious thought.
deepprofound
Opp: trivial, Opp: superficial
a serious/deep/profound question/issue/analysis
a serious/deep conversation/discussion
3.
She looked at him with a serious expression.
solemnearnest|written sobergrave|BrE, written sombre|AmE, written somber|BrE, disapproving humourless|AmE, disapproving humorless
Opp: light-hearted
a/an serious/solemn/earnest/sober/grave/sombre expression
a serious/solemn/sober/sombre mood/atmosphere
on a serious/sober/sombre note  
Synonyms:
serious
grave earnest solemn
These words all describe sb who thinks and behaves carefully and sensibly, but often without much joy or laughter.
seriousthinking about things in a careful and sensible way; not laughing about sth: He's not really a very serious person. Be serious for a moment; this is important.
grave(rather formal) (of a person) serious in manner, as if sth sad, important, or worrying has just happened: He looked very grave as he entered the room.
earnestserious and sincere: The earnest young doctor answered all our questions.
solemnlooking or sounding very serious, without smiling; done or said in a very serious and sincere way: 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  
Example Bank:
Are you serious about resigning?
By this time the riots were getting serious.
Come on, be serious!
He became serious all of a sudden.
Joe is deadly serious in his beliefs.
Please try to stay serious!
The crime is considered serious enough to warrant a jail term.
These are terribly serious allegations.
This situation could be very serious for her.
Be serious for a moment; this is important.
He admitted to having made a serious error of judgement.
He died after suffering from a serious illness.
He used to write somewhat serious articles for the university newspaper.
He's not really a very serious person.
It's time for a serious debate about the issue.
Please give this matter some serious thought.
She was looking at him with a serious expression on her face.
Suddenly the conversation turned serious.
The speech was interesting, if a little serious for such a young audience.
The storm caused serious damage to farm buildings.
This book is the first serious study of the subject.

Why do you waste your time reading that? It's hardly a serious newspaper, is it?

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

serious / ˈsɪə.ri.əs /   / ˈsɪr.i- / adjective (NOT JOKING)

B1 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.

B1 A serious person is quiet, thinks carefully about things, and does not laugh a lot:

I remember her as a very serious child.
 

serious / ˈsɪə.ri.əs /   / ˈsɪr.i- / adjective (BAD)

B1 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.

[ after noun ] mainly Indian English very ill
 

serious / ˈsɪə.ri.əs /   / ˈsɪr.i- / adjective (DETERMINED)

[ after verb ] determined to follow a particular plan of action:

Is she serious about going to live abroad?

[ after verb ] If two people who have a loving relationship are serious about each other, they intend to stay with each other for a long time and possibly marry:

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

serious / ˈsɪə.ri.əs /   / ˈsɪr.i- / adjective [ before noun ] (NEEDING ATTENTION)

B2 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.
 

serious / ˈsɪə.ri.əs /   / ˈsɪr.i- / adjective (EXTREME)

informal 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?

informal very good of its type:

This is a serious wine, Belle, you've just got to try some.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

serious

/sɪəriəs/

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.

1.
Serious problems or situations are very bad and cause people to be worried or afraid.
Crime is an increasingly serious problem in Russian society...
The government still face very serious difficulties...
Doctors said his condition was serious but stable.
ADJ
se‧ri‧ous‧ly
If this ban was to come in it would seriously damage my business...
They are not thought to be seriously hurt.
ADV: ADV adj/adv, ADV with v
se‧ri‧ous‧ness
...the seriousness of the crisis.
N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n

2.
Serious matters are important and deserve careful and thoughtful consideration.
I regard this as a serious matter...
Don’t laugh boy. This is serious.
ADJ

3.
When important matters are dealt with in a serious way, they are given careful and thoughtful consideration.
My parents never really faced up to my drug use in any serious way...
It was a question which deserved serious consideration.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
se‧ri‧ous‧ly
The management will have to think seriously about their positions.
ADV: ADV with v

4.
Serious music or literature requires concentration to understand or appreciate it.
There is no point reviewing a blockbuster as you might review a serious novel.
ADJ: ADJ n

5.
If someone is serious about something, they are sincere about what they are saying, doing, or intending to do.
You really are serious about this, aren’t you?...
I hope you’re not serious.
ADJ: oft ADJ about n
se‧ri‧ous‧ly
Are you seriously jealous of Erica?
ADV: ADV adj/adv, ADV with v
se‧ri‧ous‧ness
In all seriousness, there is nothing else I can do...
N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n

6.
Serious people are thoughtful and quiet, and do not laugh very often.
He’s quite a serious person...
ADJ
se‧ri‧ous‧ly
They spoke to me very seriously but politely.
ADV: ADV with v

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

serious

se·ri·ous /ˈsirijəs/ adj [more ~; most ~]
1 : having an important or dangerous possible result
• a serious injury/illness/condition
• “You sound terrible.” “It's just a bad cold. Nothing serious.”
serious risks
• For my brother, not going to college was a serious mistake.
• Crime is a serious problem in this neighborhood.
2 : involving or deserving a lot of thought, attention, or work
• a serious study
• 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.
3 : giving a lot of attention or energy to something
serious musicians
• She is a serious cyclist who rides 200 miles each week.
Serious journalists do not pry into the personal lives of famous people.
• When it comes to fishing, he's very serious. = He's very serious about fishing.
• My sister is serious about her grades.
4 : not joking or funny
• a serious story/opera
• Don't laugh. I'm serious!
• Can you be serious just this once? This is important.
• He is serious about moving down South. [=he truly wants/intends to move down South]
• “He says he won't do it.” “Are you serious?”
• “I'm joining the army.” “You can't be serious.” [=you have to be joking; I can't believe that you're really joining the army]
5 always used before a noun informal : large or impressive in quality or amount
• After business school, he started making some serious money. [=he started making a large amount of money]
• These are serious shoes!
• They did some serious drinking at the bar. [=they drank a lot]
6 : having or involving strong romantic feelings
• Their romance is quite serious. They're even talking about marriage.
• We've dated a few times, but it's nothing serious.
• They are a serious couple.
• He's never really had a serious relationship with a woman.
- often + about
• She and her boyfriend are serious about each other.
7 : thoughtful or quiet in appearance or manner
• He looks like a serious person.
• You look serious. What's the matter?

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