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Seriously
“Seriously” is an adverb that expresses a high degree of seriousness or importance in a given context. It is often used to emphasize a statement or to convey a sincere and grave tone. This word can indicate the speaker’s belief in the truth or significance of the matter being discussed.
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Usage Examples
1. “Are you seriously suggesting we jump off a cliff without any safety equipment?”
2. “I seriously need to finish this project by tomorrow, or else there will be consequences.”
3. “The company is seriously considering a merger with its competitor to stay competitive in the market.”
4. “Her performance in the exam was seriously impressive; she scored the highest in the class.” -
Etymology
The word “seriously” derives from the Middle English term “serius,” which means “earnest” or “grave.” It stemmed from the Late Latin word “seriōsus,” which implies importance or significance. Over time, “serius” gradually transformed into “seriously” and gained its current usage as an adverb.
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Synonyms
Similar expressions to “seriously” include: truly, genuinely, earnestly, sincerely, gravely, profoundly, very, significantly, and critically.
