Adjective

(en adjective)

Being filled with, or in a state of despair; hopeless.

* (William Shakespeare)

Since his exile she hath despised me most, / Forsworn my company and rail'd at me, / That I am desperate of obtaining her.

* , chapter=16

, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=“[…] She takes the whole thing with desperate seriousness. But the others are all easy and jovial—thinking about the good fare that is soon to be eaten, about the hired fly, about anything.”}}

Without regard to danger or safety; reckless; furious.

* Macaulay

desperate expedients

Beyond hope; causing despair; extremely perilous; irretrievable.

Extreme, in a bad sense; outrageous.

* (William Shakespeare)

a desperate offendress against nature

* Macaulay

the most desperate of reprobates

Extremely intense.

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.