serious
Very important and needing careful thought.
Important or significant in a way that requires careful thought or attention.
Not joking; meaning what you say.
Behaving or speaking in a sincere and thoughtful way, not in a joking manner.
Very bad and possibly dangerous or harmful.
Likely to cause great harm, danger, or difficulty.
Working hard and caring a lot about something you do.
Strongly committed to an activity, goal, or relationship, often showing determination and effort.
- Base: serious
be serious about
1Committed to something important
To really want to do something and work hard for it.
- She's serious about improving her cooking skills.
- If you're serious about running a marathon, start training now.
get serious
1Begin focused, determined behavior
To stop playing and start working hard or paying attention.
- It's time to get serious about your exams.
- They decided to get serious about saving money.
take [something] seriously
1Treat as important and real
To think something is important and act that way.
- You should take your health seriously.
- The police take all threats seriously.
dead serious
1dead serious
completely serious without joking intention or humor presence at all degree maximum seriousness level state condition quality manner mode style approach attitude behavior action conduct disposition character mood tone feeling emotion impression perception thought belief intention purpose aim goal resolve determination commitment conviction certainty confidence assurance trust faith reliance dependability reliability responsibility accountability duty obligation requirement necessity imperative essentiality importance significance relevance pertinence appropriateness suitability propriety correctness accuracy precision exactness truth veracity sincerity honesty integrity authenticity genuineness validity soundness reasonableness plausibility credibility believability likelihood probability possibility potentiality feasibility practicality viability realism sensibility rationality logic coherence consistency stability permanence durability endurance resilience strength robustness toughness hardness firmness solidity density mass weight gravity magnitude extent amount quantity volume size proportion scale scope range breadth width depth height length duration time speed velocity pace rate frequency regularity constancy continuity persistence repetition habit routine custom tradition practice usage precedent example model pattern standard norm rule law principle guideline regulation policy requirement condition term provision stipulation clause restriction limitation constraint control influence effect impact consequence result outcome product output yield return benefit advantage profit gain reward success achievement accomplishment fulfillment realization satisfaction enjoyment pleasure happiness joy delight comfort convenience ease peace calm tranquility serenity security safety protection defense shelter refuge haven sanctuary asylum retreat hideaway hideout bolt-hole cover concealment camouflage disguise mask pretense pretence facade front appearance image impression semblance likeness similarity resemblance analogy metaphor symbol representation expression illustration example instance case situation circumstance event occurrence happening incident episode experience adventure journey trip travel voyage expedition quest mission campaign operation project program plan scheme enterprise undertaking initiative effort attempt endeavor trial test experiment research study investigation analysis review assessment evaluation appraisal survey examination inspection observation monitoring supervision management administration direction guidance leadership control command authority power influence dominance mastery skill ability talent expertise competence proficiency capability capacity potential facility knack gift flair aptitude genius intelligence wisdom knowledge understanding insight awareness perception recognition appreciation comprehension grasp command familiarity acquaintance experience practice training discipline learning education schooling instruction teaching tutoring coaching mentoring advising counseling therapy treatment care service help assistance support aid relief charity kindness generosity goodwill benevolence compassion sympathy empathy consideration thoughtfulness regard respect honor esteem admiration praise approval acceptance tolerance patience forgiveness mercy grace favor blessing luck fortune fate destiny chance opportunity possibility probability likelihood prospect expectation hope ambition dream desire wish want need requirement necessity urgency emergency crisis disaster catastrophe calamity tragedy misfortune accident injury harm damage loss failure defeat setback disappointment frustration annoyance irritation anger rage fury wrath resentment bitterness hatred dislike aversion loathing disgust contempt scorn disdain disrespect insult offense affront outrage shock surprise amazement astonishment wonder awe admiration appreciation gratitude thanks thankfulness gratefulness acknowledgment recognition credit attribution reference mention citation quotation note comment remark observation statement declaration announcement report account description explanation information advice guidance recommendation suggestion proposal offer invitation request demand order instruction command direction ruling decision judgment verdict finding conclusion resolution determination settlement compromise agreement contract treaty pact deal arrangement understanding accord consensus harmony peace truce ceasefire armistice reconciliation reunion reuniting rejoining restoration renewal revival resurgence comeback return recovery improvement progress advancement development growth expansion increase rise boost gain benefit profit advantage success achievement accomplishment victory win triumph feat coup masterstroke tour de force breakthrough innovation discovery invention creation production construction manufacture building establishment foundation formation institution initiation inauguration launch opening start beginning commencement onset outset origin birth creation inception emergence dawn genesis rise appearance arrival entry introduction presentation debut premiere unveiling release publication issue circulation distribution broadcast transmission airing telecast screening showing performance exhibition display demonstration parade procession march rally gathering assembly meeting conference convention seminar workshop symposium forum lecture speech talk address sermon lesson class course program curriculum syllabus schedule timetable agenda plan outline summary review overview abstract synopsis digest brief note memorandum memo record document file dossier report paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text tweet feed status comment review rating score feedback testimonial recommendation endorsement promotion advertisement commercial notice announcement poster flyer brochure pamphlet leaflet booklet handout newsletter magazine newspaper book novel short story poem play script screenplay scenario outline sketch draft manuscript thesis dissertation report treatise monograph paper article essay composition story narrative account description explanation discussion dialogue conversation chat talk gossip rumor news item bulletin headline feature column editorial commentary analysis opinion piece letter diary journal log blog post update message email text(tweet truncated)
- I'm dead serious — you need to leave now.
- He was dead serious about quitting his job.
in all seriousness
1I am not joking
Used before a statement to show that you are speaking seriously and not making a joke.
- In all seriousness, you should see a doctor about that cough.
- He said, in all seriousness, that he might quit his job.
- In all seriousness, this is a problem we cannot ignore.
in all seriousness
2Speaking sincerely after joking
Used when you stop joking and start speaking honestly.
- In all seriousness, you need to see a doctor.
- In all seriousness, we have to prepare for the storm.