seriously
- 1In a serious or literal way: meaning what is said honestly, rather than as a joke or exaggeration.
The doctor explained the risks seriously, choosing each word with care.
When she says she is quitting her job, take it seriously, because she means it.
UsageMost often with take: take someone or something seriously.
Similarearnestly, solemnly, soberly, sincerely
Oppositelightly, jokingly, flippantly, casually
Note
In Edgar Rice Burroughs's The Return of Tarzan (1913), "But seriously" already opens a sentence, leaning toward the turn to earnest talk.
- 2To a grave or deep degree; very much, as when an illness, injury, or problem affects someone badly.
The patient was seriously injured and needed immediate surgery.
Their finances were seriously affected by the long strike.
UsageBefore an adjective, participle or verb, with no casual tone: seriously injured, seriously ill, seriously damage.
Similarseverely, badly, gravely, critically, dangerously
Oppositeslightly, mildly, lightly, superficially
- 3To an extreme or major degree, used to stress how great or intense something is.
This new phone is seriously fast.
We were seriously impressed by the band's performance.
UsageBefore an adjective, to turn up the volume: seriously good, seriously fast.
Similarreally, incredibly, extremely, super, truly
- 4Used to shift from a lighthearted conversation to a genuine or important point that the speaker wants taken in earnest.
We laughed about it for a while, but seriously, we should fix the leak before winter.
Seriously, though, thank you for everything you did for us this year.
UsageUsually at the start, set off by a comma, often with now or though: but seriously, seriously, though.
Similarhonestly
Note
A sentence adverb that changes the tone of a conversation. When the same word is aimed back at something just said, in disbelief, it becomes the incredulous call-back.
- 5Used to express disbelief about something just said, or to add emphasis when returning to an earlier point.
Seriously, you expect me to believe that story?
They canceled the trip after all that planning? Seriously?
UsageOften alone, as a question about what was just said: Seriously?
Similarreally
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English seriously (also spelled sereously and ceryously), meaning "earnestly," equivalent to serious plus the suffix -ly.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- Seriously derives from Middle English seriously, also spelled sereously and ceryously, meaning ‘earnestly’, and is equivalent to serious plus -ly. en.wiktionary.org