3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] When important matters are dealt with in a serious way, they are given careful and thoughtful consideration. □ We had never discussed marriage in any serious way. □ It was a question which deserved serious consideration. ● se|ri|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The management will have to think seriously about their positions.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] Serious music or literature requires concentration to understand or appreciate it. □ There is no point reviewing a blockbuster as you might review a serious novel.
5 ADJ If someone is serious about something, they are sincere about what they are saying, doing, or intending to do. □ [+ about ] You really are serious about this, aren't you? □ I hope you're not serious. ● se|ri|ous|ly ADV [ADV adj/adv, ADV with v] □ Are you seriously jealous of Erica? ● se|ri|ous|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ In all seriousness, there is nothing else I can do. [Also + of ]
6 ADJ Serious people are thoughtful and quiet, and do not laugh very often. □ He's quite a serious person. ● se|ri|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ They spoke to me very seriously but politely.
se|ri|ous|ly ◆◇◇ /s I ə riəsli/
1 ADV You use seriously to indicate that you are not joking and that you really mean what you say. □ But seriously, we've had really positive feedback from all sorts of people.
2 CONVENTION You say ' seriously ' when you are surprised by what someone has said, as a way of asking them if they really mean it. [SPOKEN , FEELINGS ] □ 'I tried to chat him up at the general store.' He laughed. 'Seriously?'
3 → see also serious
4 PHRASE If you take someone or something seriously , you believe that they are important and deserve attention. □ It's hard to take them seriously in their pretty grey uniforms.
ser|mon /sɜː r mən/ (sermons ) N‑COUNT A sermon is a talk on a religious or moral subject that is given by a member of the clergy as part of a church service.
sero|to|nin /se roʊtoʊ n I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Serotonin is a chemical produced naturally in your brain that affects the way you feel, for example making you feel happier, calmer, or less hungry.
ser|pent /sɜː r pənt/ (serpents ) N‑COUNT A serpent is a snake. [LITERARY ] □ …the serpent in the Garden of Eden.
ser|pen|tine /sɜː r pənta I n/ ADJ Something that is serpentine is curving and winding in shape, like a snake when it moves. [LITERARY ] □ …serpentine woodland pathways.
ser|rat|ed /sere I t I d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A serrated object such as a knife or blade has a row of V-shaped points along the edge. □ Bread knives should have a serrated edge.
ser|ried /se rid/ ADJ [ADJ n] Serried things or people are closely crowded together in rows. [LITERARY ] □ …serried rows of law books and law reports. □ …the serried ranks of fans.
se|rum /s I ə rəm/ (serums )
1 N‑VAR A serum is a liquid that is injected into someone's blood to protect them against a poison or disease.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Serum is the watery, pale yellow part of blood.
serv|ant ◆◇◇ /sɜː r v ə nt/ (servants )
1 N‑COUNT A servant is someone who is employed to work at another person's home, for example as a cleaner or a gardener.
2 N‑COUNT You can use servant to refer to someone or something that provides a service for people or can be used by them. □ The question is whether technology is going to be our servant or our master.
3 → see also civil servant
serve ◆◆◇ /sɜː r v/ (serves , serving , served )
1 VERB If you serve your country, an organization, or a person, you do useful work for them. □ [V n] It is unfair to soldiers who have served their country well for many years. □ [V n] I have always said that I would serve the Party in any way it felt appropriate.
2 VERB If you serve in a particular place or as a particular official, you perform official duties, especially in the armed forces, as a civil servant, or as a politician. □ [V prep/adv] During the second world war he served with RAF Coastal Command. □ [V prep/adv] For seven years until 1991 he served as a district councillor in Solihull.
3 VERB If something serves as a particular thing or serves a particular purpose, it performs a particular function, which is often not its intended function. □ [V + as/for ] She ushered me into the front room, which served as her office. □ [V n] I really do not think that an inquiry would serve any useful purpose. □ [V to-inf] Their brief visit has served to underline the deep differences between the two countries. □ [V n + as/for ] The old drawing room serves her as both sitting room and study.
4 VERB If something serves people or an area, it provides them with something that they need. □ [V n] This could mean the closure of thousands of small businesses which serve the community. □ [be V -ed + by ] Cuba is well served by motorways.
5 VERB Something that serves someone's interests benefits them. □ [V n] The economy should be organized to serve the interests of all the people.
6 VERB When you serve food and drink, you give people food and drink. □ [V n prep] Serve it with French bread. □ [V n adj] Serve the cakes warm. □ [V n] Prepare the garnishes shortly before you are ready to serve the soup. □ [V n n] …the pleasure of having someone serve you champagne and caviar in bed. □ [V ] They are expected to baby-sit, run errands, and help serve at cocktail parties. [Also V n + to ] ● PHRASAL VERB Serve up means the same as serve . □ [V P n] After all, it is no use serving up TV dinners if the kids won't eat them. □ [V n P ] He served it up on delicate white plates.