Serious vs. Levity: What's the Difference?
Serious and Levity Definitions
Serious
Thoughtful, somber, or grave in manner
He became serious when he was asked about the economy.
Levity
Humor, merriment, or a lack of seriousness, especially when inappropriate
A subject that should not be treated with levity.
Serious
Not joking or trifling
I was serious when I said I liked your haircut.
Levity
(Archaic) Inconstancy; changeableness.
Serious
Deeply interested or involved
A serious golfer.
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Levity
(Archaic) The state or quality of being light; buoyancy.
Serious
Meriting great concern
A serious illness.
A serious mistake.
Levity
Lightness of manner or speech, frivolity; lack of appropriate seriousness; inclination to make a joke of serious matters.
Serious
Performed with careful thought
A serious effort to reform tax policy.
Levity
(obsolete) Lack of steadiness.
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Serious
Pertaining to important rather than trivial matters
A serious discussion.
Levity
The state or quality of being light, buoyancy.
Serious
Sincerely meant
Mistook a sarcastic comment for a serious question.
Levity
(countable) A lighthearted or frivolous act.
Serious
Intended for sophisticated people
Serious music.
Levity
The quality of weighing less than something else of equal bulk; relative lightness, especially as shown by rising through, or floating upon, a contiguous substance; buoyancy; - opposed to gravity.
He gave the form of levity to that which ascended; to that which descended, the form of gravity.
This bubble by reason of its comparative levity to the fluidity that incloses it, would ascend to the top.
Serious
(Informal) Of considerable size or scope; substantial
A serious amount of money.
Levity
Lack of gravity and earnestness in deportment or character; trifling gayety; frivolity; sportiveness; vanity.
He never employed his omnipotence out of levity.
Serious
Without humor or expression of happiness; grave in manner or disposition
It was a surprise to see the captain, who had always seemed so serious, laugh so heartily.
Levity
Lack of steadiness or constancy; disposition to change; fickleness; volatility.
The levity that is fatigued and disgusted with everything of which it is in possession.
Serious
Important; weighty; not insignificant
This is a serious problem. We'll need our best experts.
Levity
Feeling an inappropriate lack of seriousness
Serious
Really intending what is said (or planned, etc); in earnest; not jocular or deceiving
After all these years, we're finally getting serious attention.
He says he wants to buy the team, but is he serious?
Levity
Lightness of manner
Serious
(of a relationship) Committed.
Serious
In a serious manner; seriously.
Serious
Grave in manner or disposition; earnest; thoughtful; solemn; not light, gay, or volatile.
He is always serious, yet there is about his manner a graceful ease.
Serious
Really intending what is said; being in earnest; not jesting or deceiving.
Serious
Important; weighty; not trifling; grave.
The holy Scriptures bring to our ears the most serious things in the world.
Serious
Hence, giving rise to apprehension; attended with danger; as, a serious injury.
Serious
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!
Serious
Of great consequence;
Marriage is a serious matter
Serious
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
Serious
Appealing to the mind;
Good music
A serious book
Serious
Completely lacking in playfulness
Serious
Requiring effort or concentration; complex and not easy to answer or solve;
Raised serious objections to the proposal
The plan has a serious flaw
