seriousness

American  

[seer-ee-uhs-nis] / ˈsɪər i əs nɪs /

noun

1. earnest or sincere character or attitude.

   The proposal was talked about, but I can't say with how much seriousness it was discussed.

2. solemn or somber character or attitude.

   Is that why your face is so grim—you're fighting to maintain seriousness and not laugh at the speaker’s name?

3. the quality of showing or requiring deep thought or concentration.

   The two chefs approach their gourmet cuisine with the pensive seriousness others might bring to a difficult math problem.

4. the quality of being important or weighty, or of giving cause for concern.

   We need educational tools that convey the seriousness of copyright infringement, as well as its consequences and penalties.

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Other Word Forms

• half-seriousness noun
• nonseriousness noun
• overseriousness noun
• superseriousness noun
• ultraseriousness noun
• unseriousness noun

Etymology

Origin of seriousness

serious ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

“TBPN,” shorthand for Technology Business Programming Network, treats technology news with the seriousness of a sportscaster describing a winning play.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

In a statement, they described their "relief at finally having a diagnosis, but also sadness in understanding the seriousness of the condition and how rare it is".

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

It’s a delicate balancing act between work, school, baseball and the seriousness of being a parent as a teenager.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

Rosenberg and Bardey, the defence's expert witnesses, disagree, saying it instead highlights that Jeffries does not remember his legal restrictions and the seriousness of the situation.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

I thought I'd effectively conveyed the seriousness of the assignment.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Related Words

• enormity
• gravity
• importance
• significance
• urgency