English → Latin
“serious” in Latin
sevērussevere, serious, strict, stern, stringent, austere, harsh, grave (in demeanor)sēriusgrave; earnest; seriousgravisheavy; pregnant; troublesome, hardaustērusaustere, plain; harsh, bitter, sour; sharp, pungent, tarttrīstissad, unhappy, melancholy, morose; sorrowful, mournful; disagreeable, harsh, bitter (of taste)
The English word serious itself goes back to Latin sērius, through sēriōsus.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
serious
severus: serius (severus, that causes no mirth; serius, that contains or has no mirth. The former is used by classical writers of persons, and then, figuratively, of things; e.g., when things are represented with reference to the impression which they make; as, severa oratio; while seria oratio would be a speech seriously meant: severus also refers to seriousness of disposition): gravis (of dignified gravity; said of persons or things). (The words are found in this connection and order.) gravis seriusque (e.g., res, Cic., Off., 1, 29, 103): austerus (austere; serious in countenance or deportment; opposed to jucundus). (The words are found in this connection and order.) austerus et gravis; tristis (gloomy, sad). To write anything serious, gravius aliquid scribere: to assume a serious look, vultum ad severitatem componere; vultum componere: to talk in a serious tone to anybody, severe sermonem cum aliquo conferre (☞ Titinn., ap. Non., 509, sq.).
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for serious?
- The usual Latin words for “serious” are sevērus, sērius, gravis; also austērus, trīstis. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.