Serious
/ˈsɪə.ri.əs/noun
Important and worthy of consideration; not joking or playful.
Did you know?The word 'serious' is linked to the Latin 'serius', which originally conveyed a sense of weightiness and gravitas, reflecting the ancient belief that seriousness was tied to the weight of human fate.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ser-
“To bind or to hold fast, implying weight and importance.”
Latin
Latin
serius
“Weighty, grave, serious; related to matters of importance.”
Old French
Old French
sérieux
“Important, grave, or earnest, reflecting the Latin influence.”
Middle English
Middle English
serius
“Adopted from Old French, retaining the sense of importance and gravity.”
Modern English
English
serious
“Pertaining to matters requiring thoughtful consideration, with a tone of gravity.”