· concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities; "a serious student of history"; "a serious attempt to learn to ski"; "gave me a serious look"; "a serious young man"; "are you serious or joking?"; "Don't be so serious!"

Antonym(s): frivolous

· of great consequence; "marriage is a serious matter"

· causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm; "a dangerous operation"; "a grave situation"; "a grave illness"; "grievous bodily harm"; "a serious wound"; "a serious turn of events"; "a severe case of pneumonia"; "a life-threatening disease"

Synonym(s): dangerous, grave, grievous, severe, life-threatening

· appealing to the mind; "good music"; "a serious book"

Synonym(s): good

· completely lacking in playfulness

Synonym(s): unplayful, sober

· requiring effort or concentration; complex and not easy to answer or solve; "raised serious objections to the proposal"; "the plan has a serious flaw"