Seriously Meaning
Seriously Definition & Usage
In a serious manner or with sincere intent.
Examples
- "She looked at him seriously, not cracking a smile."
- "If you're going to tell me something, say it seriously."
- "They were discussing the project seriously, aware of its potential impact."
- "You should seriously consider the consequences of your actions."
- "I think you need to take this matter more seriously."
Used to emphasize the importance or truth of a statement, often when one is not joking.
Examples
- "Seriously, I can't believe you did that!"
- "Are you seriously going to quit your job over that?"
- "I’m serious—this is not the time for jokes."
- "You can't be serious about giving up now."
- "Seriously, you need to calm down."
Used to express surprise, disbelief, or exasperation, especially when questioning someone's actions.
Examples
- "Seriously? You’re telling me this now?"
- "Seriously, you ate the last piece of cake?"
- "Are you seriously going to ignore my advice?"
- "Seriously, how could you forget something so important?"
- "She just left without saying goodbye? Seriously?"
Cultural Context
The word 'seriously' originates from the Latin word 'serius', meaning earnest or grave. In English, it has evolved to not only emphasize earnestness but also to express surprise or disbelief, particularly in informal contexts.
The Decision
Story
The Decision
The small café on the corner was unusually quiet as Thomas sat at his usual spot by the window. He stared at the coffee cup in front of him, lost in thought. The decision he had to make was weighing heavily on him. His friend, Rachel, had been sitting across from him for what seemed like hours, waiting for him to speak. 'You know you have to make a choice soon,' Rachel said, breaking the silence. She wasn't joking—her tone was serious, and she looked at him seriously, her eyes filled with concern. 'I know, I know,' Thomas replied, rubbing his temples. 'But it's not an easy decision.' 'Are you seriously considering backing out now?' Rachel asked, incredulous. 'After all this time and effort?' He looked up, meeting her gaze. 'I’m serious, Rachel. This isn’t something I can just decide on a whim.' Rachel leaned forward, her expression softening. 'Look, Thomas, this is a big opportunity. If you don’t take it seriously, you might regret it later.' Thomas nodded, but his mind was still racing. 'I understand. But sometimes, I wonder if I’m really ready for such a huge step. It’s a lot to handle.' Rachel took a deep breath, her voice firm. 'You’ve been preparing for this your whole life. Seriously, you’ve got this. Don’t doubt yourself now.' Thomas took another long look out the window. The weight of the decision still pressed on him, but Rachel’s words made him think. Maybe it was time to stop second-guessing and face the challenge head-on. With newfound resolve, he stood up, signaling to Rachel that he was ready to move forward. 'Okay, I’ll take it seriously,' he said with a determined smile. 'Let’s do this.'