Sē'ri-ous, a.
a. [Lat. serius, It. serioso, serio, Sp. serio, Fr. sérieux.] 1. Grave in manner or disposition; earnest; solemn; not light, gay, or volatile. He is always serious, yet there is about his manner a graceful ease. Macaulay.
- Really intending what is said; being in earnest; not jesting or making a false pretense.
- Important; weighty; not trifling; grave.
The Holy Scriptures bring to our ears the most serious things in the world. Young. 4. Hence, giving rise to apprehension; attended with danger; as, a serious exposure or injury. Syn. — Grave; solemn; important; weighty. See GRAVE.