se·ri·ous·ness

se·ri·ous·ness
/ˈsirijəsnəs/ noun [noncount]
: the quality or state of being serious

We were shocked by the seriousness of her illness.

The child's seriousness was surprising.

You have to consider the seriousness of the charges against you.

She spoke with great seriousness.

in all seriousness
: in a serious way
— used to stress that a statement, question, etc., is not a joke

“I was the queen of England in a previous life,” she said in all seriousness.

In all seriousness, if he does propose, what will you say?


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

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  • ar´du|ous|ness — ar|du|ous «AHR ju uhs», adjective. 1. hard to do; requiring much effort; difficult: »an arduous lesson. SYNONYM(S): laborious. 2. using up much energy; strenuous: »He enjoys an arduous workout in the gymnasium. 3. hard to climb; …   Useful english dictionary

  • con´gru|ous|ness — con|gru|ous «KONG gru uhs», adjective. 1. Geometry. exactly coinciding. 2. in harmony; agreeing. SYNONYM(S): harmonious, accordant, conformable. 3. fitting; appropriate. ╂[< Latin …   Useful english dictionary

  • cu´ri|ous|ness — cu|ri|ous «KYUR ee uhs», adjective. 1. eager to know: »a curious student. Small children are very curious, and ask many questions. Girls have curious minds And fain would know the end of everything (Elizabeth Barrett Browning). 2. too eager to… …   Useful english dictionary

  • de´vi|ous|ness — de|vi|ous «DEE vee uhs», adjective. 1. out of the direct way; winding; twisting; roundabout: »We took a devious route through side streets and alleys to avoid the crowded main streets. SYNONYM(S): circuitous, tortuous, rambling. 2. Figurative.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • fat´u|ous|ness — fat|u|ous «FACH u uhs», adjective. 1. stupid but self satisfied; foolish; silly: »a fatuous smile, a fatuous empty headed conversation. These poor Might Have Beens, These fatuous, ineffectual Yesterdays! (William Ernest Henley). SYNONYM(S): See… …   Useful english dictionary

  • imper´vi|ous|ness — im|per|vi|ous «ihm PUR vee uhs», adjective. 1. having no way through; not letting things pass through; allowing no passage: »A raincoat made of rubber is impervious to rain. SYNONYM(S): impermeable. 2. Figurative. not open to argument,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • noc´u|ous|ness — noc|u|ous «NOK yu uhs», adjective. noxious; hurtful; poisonous: »a nocuous gas. ╂[< Latin nocuus (with English ous) < nocēre to harm] –noc´u|ous|ly, adverb. –noc´u|ous|ness, noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • nu´mer|ous|ness — nu|mer|ous «NOO muhr uhs, NYOO », adjective. 1. very many; of great number: »The child asked numerous questions. SYNONYM(S): manifold, several, innumerable. 2. in great numbers; consisting of many; plentiful: »He has a numerous acquaintance among …   Useful english dictionary

  • ob´vi|ous|ness — ob|vi|ous «OB vee uhs», adjective. 1. easily seen or understood; clear to the eye or mind; not to be doubted; plain: »It is obvious that two and two make four. It is obvious that a blind man ought not to drive an automobile. The frail child was… …   Useful english dictionary

  • o´dor|ous|ness — o|dor|ous «OH duhr uhs», adjective. giving forth or having an odor, especially a pleasant odor; sweet smelling; fragrant: »Spices are odorous. ... the odorous breath of morn (Milton). SYNONYM(S): aromatic. ╂[< Latin odorus (with English ous)]… …   Useful english dictionary

  • on´er|ous|ness — on|er|ous «ON uhr uhs», adjective. 1. hard to take or carry; burdensome; oppressive; troublesome: »Overtime work is well paid, but it is often onerous. SYNONYM(S): heavy, weighty, arduous. 2. Law. of the nature of a legal burden or obligation.… …   Useful english dictionary

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