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Serious vs Purposeful - What's the difference?

serious | purposeful | Related terms |

Serious is a related term of purposeful.


As adjectives the difference between serious and purposeful

is that serious is without humor or expression of happiness; grave in manner or disposition; earnest; thoughtful; solemn while purposeful is having purpose; intentional.

serious

English

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.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * trifling, unimportant * (intending what is said) jesting

    Derived terms

    * srs (abbreviation) * dead serious * seriously * seriousness * serious-minded * serious-mindedly * serious-mindedness

    Statistics

    *

    purposeful

    English

    (Purpose)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having purpose; intentional.
  • Having a purpose in mind; resolute; determined.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=November 10 , author=Jeremy Wilson , title= England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report , work=Telegraph citation , page= , passage=An utterly emphatic 5-0 victory was ultimately capped by two wonder strikes in the last two minutes from Aston Villa midfielder Gary Gardner. Before that, England had utterly dominated to take another purposeful stride towards the 2013 European Championship in Israel. They have already established a five-point buffer at the top of Group Eight. }}

    Synonyms

    * determined * nose to the grindstone * focused

    Derived terms

    * purposefully * purposefulness