seriously

American  

[seer-ee-uhs-lee] / ˈsɪər i əs li /

adverb

1. in a serious manner.

   He shook his head seriously.

2. to an alarmingly grave extent.

   seriously ill.

3. with genuine, earnest intent; sincerely.

   Seriously, kids, we have to get home before dark.

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seriously British  

/ ˈsɪərɪəslɪ /

adverb

1. in a serious manner or to a serious degree

2. informal extremely or remarkably

   seriously tall

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Etymology

Origin of seriously

First recorded in 1500–10; serious + -ly

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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

See Examples For:

seriously

So people are going out and they’re taking the assignment very, very seriously.

From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2026

Beyond the frustration of sleepless nights, the condition can seriously disrupt daily life and increase the likelihood of developing anxiety or depression.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2026

Mbappe, Real and La Liga later all said sorry for his remarks, and China's foreign ministry said it took the player's apology "seriously".

From Barron's ● Oct. 31, 2026

Dhami also said he had ordered that anyone seriously injured be airlifted for treatment.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

“But seriously, I’m impressed. You have great initiative.”

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

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Related Words

• acutely
• badly
• grievously
• intensely
• severely
• sorely
• very

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