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

“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

She expects this trend to continue, “given the seriousness of this condition and the potential with Vykat XR.”

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 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

The treatment by Chinese authorities of lawyers involved in defending Zion’s leaders underscores the seriousness with which Beijing is treating the case.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Observe was not a word I normally used in conversation, but I wanted to prove my seriousness to him.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

Related Words

• enormity
• gravity
• importance
• significance
• urgency