seriousness

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˈsɪriːəsnəs/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    The quality or state of being serious; earnestness or gravity in manner, attitude, or expression.; The quality of being important, significant, or demanding careful consideration; gravity of a situation or matter.; Sincerity or genuineness of intention; the quality of meaning what one says or does.; The degree of danger, risk, or harm involved in something; severity.; A solemn or weighty quality in tone, style, or subject matter, especially in literature or art.

🔗 Details

Word forms

uncountable

Collocations

the seriousness of the situationin all seriousnesstreat with seriousnessthe seriousness of the matterunderstand the seriousness

Derivatives

seriousseriouslyserious-minded

Synonyms

gravitysolemnityearnestnessseverityweightiness

Antonyms

frivolitylevitylightnessflippancy

Commonly confused

severity
EN: 'Severity' emphasizes harshness or extreme degree; 'seriousness' emphasizes earnestness, gravity, or importance.
solemnity
EN: 'Solemnity' implies a formal, dignified, or ceremonial gravity; 'seriousness' is broader and can apply to any earnest or important quality.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember the double 's' at the junction of 'serious' + '-ness'. Do not drop the 'u' from 'serious'.

💬 Examples

  1. The seriousness of his expression told her he was not joking.

  2. The doctor explained the seriousness of the patient's condition to the family.

  3. She doubted the seriousness of his promise to change.

  4. The authorities are still assessing the seriousness of the environmental damage.

  5. The novel is noted for its seriousness of purpose and moral depth.