serious

Adjective

WordNet 3.0

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!”
of great consequence“marriage is a serious matter”
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”Synonyms: dangerous grave grievous severe life-threatening
appealing to the mind“good music”“a serious book”Synonyms: good
completely lacking in playfulnessSynonyms: unplayful sober
requiring effort or concentration; complex and not easy to answer or solve“raised serious objections to the proposal”“the plan has a serious flaw”

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]