Adjective

(en adjective)

Of, or pertaining to, the .

Of doubtful authenticity, or lacking authority; not regarded as canonical.

Many scholars consider the stories of the monk Teilo to be apocryphal .

Of dubious veracity; of questionable accuracy or truthfulness; anecdotal or in the nature of an urban legend.

There is an apocryphal tale of a little boy plugging the dike with his finger.

{{quote-Fanny Hill, part=3 , Charles, already dispos'd by the evidence of his senses to think my pretences to virginity not entirely apocryphal , smothers me with kisses, begs me, in the name of love, to have a little patience, and that he will be as tender of hurting me as he would be of himself.}}

Adjective

(en-adj)

Without humor or expression of happiness; grave in manner or disposition; earnest; thoughtful; solemn.

It was a surprise to see the captain, who had always seemed so serious , laugh so heartily.

Important; weighty; not trifling; leaving no room for play; needing great attention; critical.

This is a serious problem. We'll need our best experts.

Really intending what is said; being in earnest; not jesting or deceiving; meaningful.

After all these years, we're finally getting serious attention.