seriously
Americanadverb
-
in a serious manner.
He shook his head seriously.
-
to an alarmingly grave extent.
seriously ill.
-
with genuine, earnest intent; sincerely.
Seriously, kids, we have to get home before dark.
adverb
-
in a serious manner or to a serious degree
-
informal extremely or remarkably
seriously tall
Etymology
Origin of seriously
Explanation
When you do something seriously, you do it earnestly or thoughtfully. If you seriously consider walking the Appalachian Trail, it means that you put real effort and thought into contemplating such a trip. If your boss speaks seriously to you, you know she means what she's saying, and if you think seriously about what a fortune teller told you, it means that you really consider what she said your future might bring. You can also use seriously to mean significantly, or to a worrying degree, like being seriously ill with the flu. Informally, seriously also means very or truly, like when you are seriously hungry.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But sources told The Times there’s no credible intelligence to support it and officials said they did not take it seriously.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
Those who did come in were significantly more likely to require hospitalization than U.S.-born patients, suggesting that they were postponing treatment until they were seriously ill.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026
In a statement, Cosla, which represents local authorities, said its members took the report seriously and would do everything possible to cut poverty.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026
A spokesman for the Marine Corps said it is cooperating with Japanese authorities and takes the allegations very seriously.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026
"Specimen, the day Howard takes me seriously, I'm in real trouble."
From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
