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Antonyms for serious


Grammar : Adj
Spell : seer-ee-uhs
Phonetic Transcription : ˈsɪər i əs



Definition of serious

Origin :
  • mid-15c., "expressing earnest purpose or thought" (of persons), from Middle French sérieux "grave, earnest" (14c.), from Late Latin seriosus, from Latin serius "weighty, important, grave," probably from a PIE root *swer- (4) "heavy" (cf. Lithuanian sveriu "to weigh, lift," svarus "heavy;" Old English swære "heavy," German schwer "heavy," Gothic swers "honored, esteemed," literally "weighty"). As opposite of jesting, from 1712; as opposite of light (of music, theater, etc.), from 1762. Meaning "attended with danger" is from 1800.
  • adj somber, humorless
  • adj crucial, weighty
Example sentences :
  • The other idea was absurd—too wild for serious consideration.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Moreover, little Helen got in the first remark in the way of serious conversation.
  • Extract from : « Malbone » by Thomas Wentworth Higginson
  • The minister had a serious countenance, and was very placid.
  • Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various
  • While a Treasury surplus is not the greatest evil, it is a serious evil.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • Obviously there had been no serious quarrel between the brothers.
  • Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
  • She knew that this jesting choice would have serious import.
  • Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
  • Still I hope I shall not have any serious misunderstandings with my girls.
  • Extract from : « Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus » by Jessie Graham Flower
  • In Glasgow and other parts of the country there were serious riots.
  • Extract from : « The Grand Old Man » by Richard B. Cook
  • Just then the curtain rose again, and the play of the "Serious Family," commenced.
  • Extract from : « Life in London » by Edwin Hodder
  • For there is a play even with most serious things that has in it no offense.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald

Synonyms for serious

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019