serial
gb/sˈɪɹiəl/ us/sˈɪɹiəl/
A2
English
~ 3000
sorozatos, egymást követő, folytatásos, folytatásos történet, sorozat, sorozatszám, gyári szám
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is serial
The police were investigating a serial killer who had struck three times.
A rendőrség egy sorozatgyilkos után nyomozott, aki már háromszor lecsapott.
This TV show is a serial drama that continues each week.
Ez a tévéműsor egy folytatásos dráma, amely hétről hétre folytatódik.
He was charged with serial thefts over several months.
The book is being released in serial form in the magazine.
Learner examples
The story is told in serial parts.
A történetet folytatásokban mesélik el.
A serial killer is dangerous.
A sorozatgyilkos veszélyes.
The magazine prints the novel as a serial.
She enjoys watching serial dramas.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'serial' with 'series'; 'serial' describes the sequential nature, while 'series' refers to the whole set.
Meaning
Happening one after another
Collocations
serial number
|serial killer
|serial drama
|serial publication
Synonyms
sequential (More formal or technical; often used in academic or computing contexts.)
Antonyms
random (Not having any specific order or sequence.)
Themes
media
|time
|crime
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening in order, one after the other.
Occurring or arranged in a sequence, one after another.
NOUN
B1
2
sorozat
A2
Usage pattern:
a serial about [something]
The radio station broadcast a popular soap opera serial.
A rádióállomás egy népszerű szappanoperasorozatot sugárzott.
He has been writing a crime serial for a local magazine.
Egy helyi magazinnak ír egy folytatásos krimit.
The TV serial kept viewers hooked for months.
Learner examples
I watch a TV serial every night.
Minden este nézek egy tévésorozatot.
The magazine prints a serial every week.
A magazin minden héten közöl egy folytatásos történetet.
She likes the old radio serials.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'serial' means the same as 'series' in all contexts; 'serial' usually means one continuous story.
Meaning
Story released in parts
Collocations
TV serial
|radio serial
|magazine serial
Synonyms
series (Commonly used for television shows; 'serial' emphasizes continuous storyline.)
Antonyms
standalone (A complete work presented all at once, not in parts.)
Themes
media
|literature
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Definition
A story or show given in parts over time.
A story, play, or other work presented in regular installments.
NOUN
A2
TECHNICAL
3
sorozatszám
B2
gyári szám
B1
Usage pattern:
the serial number of [something]
Please provide the serial number when you call for support.
Kérjük, adja meg a sorozatszámot, amikor az ügyfélszolgálatot hívja.
The stolen laptop’s serial number was reported to the police.
Az ellopott laptop sorozatszámát bejelentették a rendőrségen.
Each product has a unique serial number.
Learner examples
Look for the serial number on the box.
Keresd meg a sorozatszámot a dobozon.
Write down the phone's serial number.
Írd fel a telefon sorozatszámát.
The computer has a long serial number.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'serial number' with 'model number'; model refers to type, serial refers to the specific unit.
Meaning
Unique identifying number
Collocations
serial number
|product serial
Synonyms
ID number (Less formal and more general; may apply to people and things.)
Antonyms
batch number (Identifies a group rather than an individual item.)
Themes
technology
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A special number for one item only.
A number assigned to an individual item to identify it uniquely.
Grammar
Dictionary form
serial
IPA
GB/sˈɪɹiəl/
US/sˈɪɹiəl/
Syllables & stress
seri - al (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (seri)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: serial
Noun
- Base: serial
- Plural: serials
Word family
Forms
serials
noun
Core family
series
noun A2
serially
adverb
Related words
serialize
verb
Advanced or less common
serialization
noun
Expressions
serial number
1/sˈɪɹiəl nˈʌmbɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
Unique identifying code for an item
A special number that shows which single item something is.
Examples
- Please enter your phone’s serial number to register it online.
- The bicycle’s serial number is engraved under the frame.
serial offender
1/sˈɪɹiəl əfˈɛndɚ/
fixed phrase
Person who commits repeated crimes
Someone who does the same crime many times.
Examples
- He is a serial offender with multiple convictions for fraud.
- Serial offenders are given longer prison sentences.
serial killer
1/sˈɪɹiəl kˈɪlɚ/
fixed phrase
Person who murders repeatedly over time
A person who kills many people over time, with breaks between the killings.
Examples
- The police believe they are dealing with a serial killer.
- The police believe a serial killer is responsible for the recent murders.
- The movie is based on the crimes of a real-life serial killer.
- Many crime shows focus on the hunt for a serial killer.