se‧ri‧ous S1 W1 / sɪəriəs $ sɪr- / 形容词
1 situation/problem a serious situation, problem, accident etc is extremely bad or dangerous :
the serious problem of unemployment
Luckily, the damage was not serious.
Serious crimes have increased dramatically.
serious injury/illness/accident etc
a serious accident on the freeway
Oil spills pose a serious threat to marine life.
The president was in serious trouble . → see Thesaurus box on p. 1590
2 important important and needing a lot of thought or attention :
This is a very serious matter .
the serious business of earning a living
Be quiet, Jim. This is serious.
3 not joking or pretending if someone is serious about something they say or plan to do, they really mean it and are not joking or pretending :
His voice suddenly became more serious.
a serious article
serious about
Is she serious about giving up her job?
deadly/dead serious (= definitely not joking )
She sounded dead serious.
Marry Frank? You can’t be serious!
4 careful serious attention/consideration/thought careful and thorough attention etc :
I’ll give your suggestion serious consideration.
5 quiet/sensible someone who is serious is very quiet and sensible, and does not laugh and joke much :
a serious student
6 worried/unhappy slightly worried or unhappy :
You look serious. What’s wrong?
7 romantic relationship a serious romantic relationship is likely to continue for a long time :
It’s serious – they’ve been seeing each other for six months.
serious about
Are you really serious about her?
serious boyfriend/girlfriend
8 sport/activity [仅用于名词前] very interested in an activity or subject, and spending a lot of time doing it :
He’s become a serious golfer since he retired.
Chris is a serious photographer.
9 very good [仅用于名词前] informal very good and often expensive :
He’s got a serious car!
10 large amount [仅用于名词前] informal used to emphasize that you are talking about a large amount of something :
In industry, you can earn serious money .
COLLOCATIONS
名词
a serious problem Vandalism is a serious problem in the area.
a serious injury/illness The driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
a serious accident He is recovering from a serious accident.
serious damage The explosion sparked a fire which caused serious damage to their flat.
a serious threat In the developed world, over-consumption is now a serious threat to health.
a serious crime/offence Kidnapping is a serious crime.
serious trouble The economy was in serious trouble.
serious consequences Neglecting to make a proper will can have serious consequences.
THESAURUS
very bad
serious very bad – used about problems, accidents, illnesses, or crimes : Violent crime is a serious problem in and around the capital. | The boy was taken to hospital with serious head injuries. | Fortunately, the damage to the car was not serious.
severe very serious – used about problems, injuries, and illnesses : He suffered severe injuries in a car crash. | The problem became so severe that they had to bring water in from other countries. | severe epilepsy
grave used about a situation that is very serious and worrying, especially because it is dangerous or seems likely to get worse : A thick fog descended and I knew that we were in grave danger. | The situation is grave – war now seems inevitable.
acute used about an illness, problem, or situation that has become very serious or dangerous, and needs to be dealt with quickly : She was taken to the hospital suffering from acute appendicitis. | In San Diego, the shortage of skilled workers is acute.
desperate used about a situation or problem that is very serious or dangerous, especially because a lot of people need urgent help : The situation is desperate – people here need aid before the harsh winter sets in. | The hospital is full of people in desperate need of medical attention.
critical used about a situation that is very serious and dangerous and might get worse suddenly : In 1991, the food supply situation became critical. | Eight people were killed and four are still in a critical condition.
life-threatening used about a situation, illness, or condition in which someone could die : Her child had a potentially life-threatening illness. | The situation was not life-threatening, but it was very worrying.
be a matter of life and death spoken to be extremely serious – used when a situation is very urgent or important : For people living with HIV, getting the right treatment is literally a matter of life and death.
not joking
serious not joking or laughing, or not pretending : His voice sounded serious. | They seem to be serious about their relationship.
solemn very serious because of an important or sad occasion or ceremony : My father looked solemn, the way grown-ups look at funerals. | The judge read the verdict in a solemn voice.
grave written quiet and very serious – used especially about the way people look when something important or worrying happens : She consulted Doctor Staples and returned looking grave. | He listened with a grave expression on his face.
sombre British English ( also somber American English ) / sɒmbə $ sɑmbər / written sad, quiet, or serious because something unpleasant or worrying has happened or is going to happen : They sat in sombre silence. | The meeting began in a sombre mood.
earnest very serious and sincere – often used about someone who is young and not very experienced : He was a rather earnest-looking young man. | ‘That’s wrong,’ she said, her voice sounding very earnest.