seriousness

[seer-ee-uhs-nis]

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of seriousness¹

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

Example Sentences

"We were deeply dismayed by the lack of seriousness shown by some executive colleagues during this critical period, including persistent briefing against others and the leaking of confidential information."

Read more on BBC

Despite the seriousness of these disorders, the contribution of the bone marrow microenvironment to their development has remained unclear.

Read more on Science Daily

“She is an excellent headmistress,” Penelope said in all seriousness, but for some reason the remark made her parents laugh.

Read more on Literature

The cinematography, by Jarred Alterman, is quite handsome and composed, amplifying the seriousness and eeriness, but also the banality and absurdity of the matter.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Judges ordered him to begin serving his sentence before the appeals process is exhausted, citing the “extraordinary seriousness” of the crime.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• enormity 
• gravity 
• importance 
• significance 
• urgency