Serial vs. Series
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 21, 2023
Serial refers to a format where a story is presented in sequential, regular installments, while a series is a set of similar or related items arranged or occurring in order.
Key Differences
A serial is often characterized by its sequential and periodic nature, the storyline progresses in each installment, maintaining a continuous thread. In contrast, a series can consist of independent, standalone elements grouped together because they share a common theme, genre, or other characteristics, such as a series of books featuring the same protagonist in different adventures.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
The essence of serial lies in continuity and progression, each part is a continuation of the previous one, forming a cohesive whole. Series, however, emphasizes the collection and arrangement of similar or related items, where each item can be a complete entity in itself but relates to the others in theme, subject, or characters.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
To summarize, while serial emphasizes sequential progression and continuity in a single storyline, a series focuses on the collection and arrangement of individual yet related items or events that may or may not have a continuous narrative but share common characteristics.
Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
Delving deeper, a serial is usually published or broadcasted in regular intervals, maintaining continuity in the story. This format keeps the audience engaged over a period of time as they anticipate subsequent parts. A series, while also occurring in a sequence, often allows the consumer to experience each part independently without losing the essence, like a series of lectures or workshops on a common subject.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Serial and Series, although seemingly similar, have distinctive meanings. A serial typically refers to a story or play appearing regularly over a period of time. It has a continual narrative, unfolding episode by episode. Conversely, a series is a collection of related but individual items or events occurring in sequence, like a television series where each episode has its own storyline but under a common theme or characters.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Comparison Chart
Definition
A format presenting a story in regular installments.
A set of related items arranged or occurring in order.
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Sep 21, 2023
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Continuity
Contains continuous narrative in each installment.
May consist of standalone elements under a common theme.
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Sep 21, 2023
Focus
On sequential and periodic unfolding of a story.
On the collection and arrangement of similar or related items.
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Sep 21, 2023
Consumption
Regular intervals and maintaining continuity.
Each part can be experienced independently.
Janet White
Sep 21, 2023
Serial and Series Definitions
Serial
Pertaining to the sequential performance of multiple operations.
A serial processor executes one operation at a time.
Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
Series
A set of related items or events presented or occurring in order.
She watched the entire series of the crime documentary in one night.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 21, 2023
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Serial
A story or play appearing regularly over a period of time.
The murder mystery was released as a serial in the monthly magazine.
Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
Series
A sequence of elements with a similar theme or characteristic.
The artist showcased a series of landscape paintings.
Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
Serial
Consisting of a series of connected events or elements.
Serial measurements were taken to monitor the changes.
Samantha Walker
Sep 21, 2023
Series
A succession of related events occurring or presented in continuation.
A series of fortunate events led to the discovery of the hidden treasure.
Janet White
Sep 21, 2023
Serial
Occurring in a series rather than simultaneously.
The serial arrangement of the experiment ensured controlled conditions.
Janet White
Sep 21, 2023
Series
A set of books, articles, or periodicals published as a group.
The author’s new series of fantasy novels has been well received.
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Sep 21, 2023
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Serial
A work of fiction delivered periodically in sequential parts.
The author decided to publish his novel as a serial online
Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
Series
A number of objects or events arranged or coming one after the other in succession.
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
Published or produced in installments, as a novel or television drama.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
Physics & Chemistry A group of objects related by linearly varying successive differences in form or configuration
A radioactive decay series.
The paraffin alkane series.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
(Mathematics) The sum of a sequentially ordered finite or infinite set of terms.
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
Relating to or engaging in a series of similar acts or behaviors
Serial arson.
A serial procrastinator.
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Series
(Geology) A group of rock formations closely related in time of origin and distinct as a group from other formations.
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Serial
(Music) Relating to or based on a row of tones, especially the 12 pitches of the chromatic scale.
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
Of or relating to the sequential transmission of all the bits of a byte over one wire
A serial port.
A serial printer.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
A succession of publications that present an extended narrative, such as a comic book series, or that have similar subjects or similar formats, such as a series of cookbooks.
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
Of or relating to the sequential performance of multiple operations
Serial processing.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
A succession of individual programs presented as parts of a unified whole, such as the set of episodes of a television show or a podcast.
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
A work of entertainment, as in film or literature, published or produced in installments that usually contain a narrative thread or overarching theme; a series.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
(Sports) A number of games played by the same two teams, often in succession.
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
(of a person) Who performs a specified action or course of action repeatedly or regularly.
The serial killer had a string of victims across seven states.
He was a serial entrepreneur, always coming up with a new way to make cash.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
(Linguistics) A set of vowels or diphthongs related by ablaut, as in sing, sang, sung, and song.
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Series
A number of things that follow on one after the other or are connected one after the other.
A series of seemingly inconsequential events led cumulatively to the fall of the company.
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Serial
(grammar) Of or relating to a grammatical aspect relating to an action that is habitual and ongoing.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
(broadcasting) A television or radio program which consists of several episodes that are broadcast in regular intervals
“Friends” was one of the most successful television series in recent years.
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
A work, such as a work of fiction, published in installments, often numbered and without a specified end.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
(mathematics) The sequence of partial sums of a given sequence ai.
The harmonic series has been much studied.
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
A publication issued in successive parts, often numbered and with no predetermined end.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
A group of matches between two sides, with the aim being to win more matches than the opposition.
The Blue Jays are playing the Yankees in a four-game series.
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
A serial number, esp. one required to activate software.
Go to these sites for serials, cracks and keygens.
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
(UK) A unit of police officers equipped with shields to tackle a riot.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
(botany) A subdivision of a genus, a taxonomic rank below that of section (and subsection) but above that of species.
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
Of or pertaining to a series; consisting of a series; appearing in successive parts or numbers; as, a serial work or publication.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
(phonology) A set of consonants that share a particular phonetic or phonological feature.
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Series
(electronics) Connected one after the other in a circuit, in series.
You have to connect the lights in series for them to work properly.
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
A publication appearing in a series or succession of part; a tale, or other writing, published in successive numbers of a periodical.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
A number of things or events standing or succeeding in order, and connected by a like relation; sequence; order; course; a succession of things; as, a continuous series of calamitous events.
During some years his life a series of triumphs.
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
A serialized set of programs;
A comedy series
The Masterworks concert series
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Series
Any comprehensive group of animals or plants including several subordinate related groups.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
In Engler's system of plant classification, a group of families showing certain structural or morphological relationships. It corresponds to the cohort of some writers, and to the order of many modern systematists.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
An indefinite number of terms succeeding one another, each of which is derived from one or more of the preceding by a fixed law, called the law of the series; as, an arithmetical series; a geometrical series.
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
A mode of arranging the separate parts of a circuit by connecting them successively end to end to form a single path for the current; - opposed to parallel. The parts so arranged are said to be in series.
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
Pertaining to or occurring in or producing a series;
Serial monogamy
Serial killing
A serial killer
Serial publication
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Feb 06, 2023
Serial
Of or relating to the sequential performance of multiple operations;
Serial processing
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
Similar things placed in order or happening one after another;
They were investigating a series of bank robberies
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
A serialized set of programs;
A comedy series
The Masterworks concert series
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
(sports) several contests played successively by the same teams;
The visiting team swept the series
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
A group of postage stamps having a common theme or a group of coins or currency selected as a group for study or collection;
The Post Office issued a series commemorating famous American entertainers
His coin collection included the complete series of Indian-head pennies
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
(electronics) connection of components in such a manner that current flows first through one and then through the other;
The voltage divider consisted of a series of fixed resistors
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Feb 06, 2023
Series
A number of games or contests played to determine an overall champion.
The team played a five-game series to determine the winner.
Samantha Walker
Sep 21, 2023
FAQs
Is a series a collection of related items?
Yes, a series is a set or collection of related items or events.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Does a series emphasize arrangement and collection?
Yes, a series emphasizes the arrangement and collection of related items or events.
Janet White
Sep 21, 2023
Can a series of books have the same characters in different adventures?
Yes, a series of books can feature the same characters experiencing different adventures.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Does serial emphasize continuity and progression?
Yes, serial emphasizes sequential progression and continuity in a storyline.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Can a serial have independent episodes?
Typically, a serial has a continuous narrative, with episodes not independent.
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Sep 21, 2023
Does series refer to a set of periodicals?
Yes, series can refer to a set of periodicals, books, or articles published as a group.
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Sep 21, 2023
What is a serial in literature?
A serial in literature is a work presented in regular, sequential installments.
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Sep 21, 2023
Can a series have a continuous narrative?
While it can, a series often consists of related but independent items or events.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Is a serial published at regular intervals?
Yes, a serial is usually published or broadcasted at regular intervals.
Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
Is a serial cohesive and progressive?
Yes, a serial is generally cohesive and progressive, with a continuous narrative.
Janet White
Sep 21, 2023
Can a serial be in the form of a play or a story?
Yes, a serial can be a play or a story presented in sequential installments.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Can series be used to describe a set of related lectures or workshops?
Yes, series can describe a set of related lectures, workshops, or other events.
Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
Is a serial more about unfolding a single storyline?
Yes, a serial is more about the sequential and periodic unfolding of a single storyline.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 21, 2023
Can series refer to a number of games or contests?
Yes, series can refer to a sequence of games or contests played to determine a champion.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Can a serial be consumed independently?
Typically, serial installments are not independent and are consumed in sequence.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
