serial
gb/sˈɪɹiəl/ us/sˈɪɹiəl/
A2
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Happening one after another
Happening in order, one after the other.
Usage pattern:
[something] is serial
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'serial' with 'series'; 'serial' describes the sequential nature, while 'series' refers to the whole set.
Synonyms
sequential (More formal or technical; often used in academic or computing contexts.)
Antonyms
random (Not having any specific order or sequence.)
Collocations
serial number
|serial killer
|serial drama
|serial publication
Themes
media
|time
|crime
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The police were investigating a serial killer who had struck three times.
- This TV show is a serial drama that continues each week.
- 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 serial killer is dangerous.
- The magazine prints the novel as a serial.
- She enjoys watching serial dramas.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Story released in parts
A story or show given in parts over time.
Usage pattern:
a serial about [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'serial' means the same as 'series' in all contexts; 'serial' usually means one continuous story.
Synonyms
series (Commonly used for television shows; 'serial' emphasizes continuous storyline.)
Antonyms
standalone (A complete work presented all at once, not in parts.)
Collocations
TV serial
|radio serial
|magazine serial
Themes
media
|literature
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- The radio station broadcast a popular soap opera serial.
- He has been writing a crime serial for a local magazine.
- The TV serial kept viewers hooked for months.
Learner examples
- I watch a TV serial every night.
- The magazine prints a serial every week.
- She likes the old radio serials.
Noun
technical
A2
entity
3
Unique identifying number
A special number for one item only.
Usage pattern:
the serial number of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'serial number' with 'model number'; model refers to type, serial refers to the specific unit.
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.)
Collocations
serial number
|product serial
Themes
technology
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Please provide the serial number when you call for support.
- The stolen laptop’s serial number was reported to the police.
- Each product has a unique serial number.
Learner examples
- Look for the serial number on the box.
- Write down the phone's serial number.
- The computer has a long serial number.
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.