Search Result for "serious": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (6)

1. concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities;
- Example: "a serious student of history"
- Example: "a serious attempt to learn to ski"
- Example: "gave me a serious look"
- Example: "a serious young man"
- Example: "are you serious or joking?"
- Example: "Don't be so serious!"

2. of great consequence;
- Example: "marriage is a serious matter"

3. causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm;
- Example: "a dangerous operation"
- Example: "a grave situation"
- Example: "a grave illness"
- Example: "grievous bodily harm"
- Example: "a serious wound"
- Example: "a serious turn of events"
- Example: "a severe case of pneumonia"
- Example: "a life-threatening disease"
[syn: dangerous, grave, grievous, serious, severe, life-threatening]

4. appealing to the mind;
- Example: "good music"
- Example: "a serious book"
[syn: good, serious]

5. completely lacking in playfulness;
[syn: unplayful, serious, sober]

6. requiring effort or concentration; complex and not easy to answer or solve;
- Example: "raised serious objections to the proposal"
- Example: "the plan has a serious flaw"



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Serious \Se"ri*ous\, a. [L. serius: cf. F. s['e]rieux, LL.
   seriosus.]
   1. Grave in manner or disposition; earnest; thoughtful;
      solemn; not light, gay, or volatile.
      [1913 Webster]

            He is always serious, yet there is about his manner
            a graceful ease.                      --Macaulay.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Really intending what is said; being in earnest; not
      jesting or deceiving. --Beaconsfield.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Important; weighty; not trifling; grave.
      [1913 Webster]

            The holy Scriptures bring to our ears the most
            serious things in the world.          --Young.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Hence, giving rise to apprehension; attended with danger;
      as, a serious injury.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Grave; solemn; earnest; sedate; important; weighty. See
        Grave.
        [1913 Webster] -- Se"ri*ous*ly, adv. --
        Se"ri*ous*ness, n.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

serious
    adj 1: concerned with work or important matters rather than play
           or trivialities; "a serious student of history"; "a
           serious attempt to learn to ski"; "gave me a serious
           look"; "a serious young man"; "are you serious or
           joking?"; "Don't be so serious!" [ant: frivolous]
    2: of great consequence; "marriage is a serious matter"
    3: causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm; "a
       dangerous operation"; "a grave situation"; "a grave illness";
       "grievous bodily harm"; "a serious wound"; "a serious turn of
       events"; "a severe case of pneumonia"; "a life-threatening
       disease" [syn: dangerous, grave, grievous, serious,
       severe, life-threatening]
    4: appealing to the mind; "good music"; "a serious book" [syn:
       good, serious]
    5: completely lacking in playfulness [syn: unplayful,
       serious, sober] [ant: playful]
    6: requiring effort or concentration; complex and not easy to
       answer or solve; "raised serious objections to the proposal";
       "the plan has a serious flaw"