1. 严重的，非同小可的　 not easy to deal with causing worry and needing attention, not slight
2. 认真的，真诚的　 not joking or funny; (intended) to be considered as sincere
3. 严肃的，庄重的　 as if thinking deeply about important or worrying matters
4. 重要的　 of an important kind, needing paid any serious attention

　～ attention　认真的注意
　～ disadvantage　极其不利
　～ drinking　痛饮一番
　～ illness　重病
　～ matter　慎重考虑的事
　～ music　严肃音乐
　～ natural calamities　严重的自然灾害
　～ problems　严重的问题
　～ question　严肃的问题
　～ speech　严肃演讲
　～ talk　认真谈一谈
　～ time　时间很紧急
　deadly ～　极其严重的
　take it ～　认真对待这事
　～ about　对…认真的
　～ about one's work　对工作很认真

　A serious toothache is an intense pain.　严重的牙痛是一种剧烈的疼痛。
　Many serious diseases are carried by insects.　很多严重疾病是由昆虫传播的。
　Europe is threatened with a serious fuel shortage.　欧洲受到燃料严重缺乏的威胁。
　We were put at a serious disadvantage.　我们被置于非常不利的地位。
　Nutrient problem is one of the most serious problems.　营养问题是最严重的问题之一。
　Though we suffer from serious natural calamities, we are sure to overcome all difficulties.　我们虽然遭受到了严重的自然灾害，但我们一定能克服一切困难。
　During that serious time, we must save the passengers who were dropping into the river.　在那个紧急关头，我们必须救出那些落水的乘客。
　Choice of one's life work is a serious matter.　选择终生事业是件需慎重考虑的事。
　This is a serious question.　这是个非常严肃的问题。
　It is a serious article.　这是一篇发人深省的文章。
　We'll be doing some serious drinking over Christmas.　圣诞节我们将痛饮一番。
　I want to have a serious talk with you.　我想要与你郑重其事地谈一谈。
　This subject has never been paid any serious attention.　这个课题从未被认真考虑过。
　Let's have a serious talk about your future.　让我们认真谈一谈你的未来。
　Our error was serious.　我们的错误是严重的。
　The situation is more serious than it has been since the end of the war.　战争结束以来，目前局势为最严重时期。
　The state of affairs is very serious.　事态非常严重。
　They notified the authorities that pollution in that area was serious.　他们报告当局那个地区的污染严重。
　The situation is becoming serious.　形势正在变得严重。
　His case is no more serious than yours.　他的情况一点也不比你的严重。
　There was a fight, and the resultant damage was serious.　发生了一场战斗，其结果损失严重。
　The attack of malaria was so serious this time that he crumpled up all at once.　这次疟疾发作得很厉害，使他的身体一下子垮了下来。
　Indeed, the drought is serious, but it can't scare us.　旱情诚然是严重的，不过它吓不倒我们。
　If you suspect that the illness might be serious, you should not put off going to the doctor.　如果你怀疑自己的病情严重，就不应该拖着不去看病。
　He looks very serious.　他看上去非常严肃。
　He looked serious as he entered the classroom.　他进教室时，看上去很严肃。
　I was perfectly serious in what I said at dinner.　我吃饭时说的那番话完全是认真的。
　He seemed serious at that time.　他看上去很严肃。
　"Management have decided to give us an extra day's holiday as a special bonus" "You can't be serious!"　“管理部门已决定给我们一天额外的假期作为特别奖励”“你这话是真的！”

 ♣ serious about
　认真的，真诚的　in earnest; sincere
　She is always serious about her work.　她总是对工作很认真。
　If you're serious about becoming an actor, you must work hard.　如果你真想当一名演员，你一定要努力工作。

 ♣ serious, severe
　severe　和serious都可表示“严重的”。但表示“伤势严重”时只能用severe. 例如：
　He received severe leg injuries in the accident.　在事故中他的腿部受了重伤。
　She was laid up for a year with a very serious〔severe〕 illness.　她由于病重而卧床一年。

　你认为他当真想离开他的妻子吗　?
　［误］ Do you think he is serious in leaving his wife?
　［正］ Do you think he is serious about leaving his wife?
　［析］ 当表示“对…严肃”时，用介词about，不可用介词in.

　［派生词］ seriously adv.严重地；危险地；认真地；真的；说真的
　［同义词］ careful, dangerous, resolved, sincere, thoughtful
　［反义词］ careless, minor, thoughtless, unimportant
　［词源］　中古英语seryows<中古拉丁语seriousus<拉丁语seriusl （严重的）