Serious is an adjective meaning important or grave in tone or matter, or someone who is not joking. It describes situations, expressions, or attitudes that demand attention, focus, and respect. The word often conveys weight or gravity in spoken discourse and can function as a mood descriptor or contrast to lightheartedness.
US: /ˈsɪriəs/ with a strong /ɪ/ and more pronounced /ri/; UK/AU: /ˈsɪəriəs/ with a slightly broader middle vowel sequence, often a less reduced final /əs/. Vowel notes: first vowel close front unrounded /ɪ/; middle sequence involves /ri/ or /əri/ where the tongue travels from front to mid; final /əs/ is a weak, unstressed schwa or mid-central vowel. Articulation tips: keep lips neutral; avoid rounding the lips on /ɪ/; for /ri/ gently roll the tongue toward /ɹ/ while maintaining a light vertical jaw. IPA references included for precise targets.
"Her expression turned serious when she heard the news."
"He gave a serious answer, not a playful one."
"The meeting was about a serious budget shortfall."
"She wore a serious look as she explained the plan."
The adjective serious originates from the Late Latin serious, from Latin serius, meaning 'grave, important, serious.' The root is related to serio, Latin for 'to take seriously' and to the phrase to take something with gravity. The semantic shift likely occurred in Ecclesiastical Latin and medieval Latin, where serious conveyed dignity and weight, and broadened in English to describe things of grave importance as opposed to light or playful. By the 16th century, serious also captured a demeanor or expression that reflected gravity or solemn intent. Over time, the sense expanded to include seriousness of purpose or mood in daily speech, while keeping its core sense of weight, importance, and lack of jest. Modern usage retains the core idea of importance or gravity, as in serious matters, serious person, or a serious expression, with occasional nuance of severity depending on context.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Serious" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Serious" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Serious"
-ous sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as /ˈsɪriəs/ (US) or /ˈsɪəriəs/ (UK/AU). Start with a short, clipped 'si' as in sit, then a quick/near-schwa 'ri' before the final 'ous' sounding like 'əs'. The primary stress is on the first syllable: SER-ee-us. Mouth position: lips neutral to slight spread, tongue at the front for /ɪ/, then a relaxed mid position for /ri/ and a soft, unstressed /ə/ before /s/. Listen for the two-toned vowel distinction between the first /ɪ/ and the mid/backish /əri/ sequence and keep the final /əs/ light and quick.
Common errors: 1) Over-pronouncing the second syllable, making it sound like 'SER-ee-us' with a full /iː/; correct is a reduced /ɪr/ towards a quick /riɪ/ sound. 2) Slurring the final /əs/ into a simple /s/ or /z/; keep a light, unstressed schwa-like ending. 3) Mixing US and UK vowel quality in the first syllable; aim for /ɪ/ as in 'sit' rather than /iː/ as in 'seat'. Practice precise transitions: /s/ + /ɪ/ + /ri/ + /əs/.
US: /ˈsɪriəs/ with a stronger rhoticity-less? The US typically uses a rhotic r in the /ri/ cluster and a clear /ə/ in the penultimate syllable. UK: /ˈsɪəriəs/ with a longer 'ri' sequence and a less reduced second vowel, occasionally a more pronounced /ɪə/ toward /ɪəri/ in some speakers. AU: often similar to UK, with slightly flatter vowels and a softer /ɜː/ realization in some regions; final /əs/ tends toward a schwa. In all three, the primary stress remains on the first syllable; the main variation is the exact quality of the middle vowel cluster and the degree of vowel reduction in the final syllable.
Two main challenges: 1) The sequence /ɪri/ involves a rapid glide from a short front vowel to a mid vowel and a consonant cluster before /əs/, which can blur in fast speech. 2) The final unstressed /əs/ can reduce to a softer schwa or even be elided in casual speech, which may blur the word’s ending. Focusing on the clean /ɪ/ then a crisp /ri/ and a light /əs/ helps maintain clarity. IPA cues: /ˈsɪriəs/ (US) or /ˈsɪəriəs/ (UK/AU).
Unique to 'Serious' is the two-consonant sequence after the initial vowels: /ri/ followed by /əs/. The /ri/ acts as a quick syllable bridge, and the final /əs/ requires a relaxed, nearly whispered ending. Maintaining a tight but swift transition between /ɪ/ and /ri/ without delaying the onset of the final /əs/ is key. Ensure the first syllable carries the main stress and that the overall word keeps a steady, even tempo.
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