serial — English Dictionary

serial
Pronunciations (3)
  • /ˈsɪə.ɹɪ.əl/
    Pronunciation notes
    • UK
  • /ˈsɪɹ.i.əl/
    Pronunciation notes
    • US
  • ˈsɪəɹiːəɫ

Adjective

  1. Having to do with or arranged in a series.

    Usage
    • not-comparable
    Synonyms
    Examples

    These singular ribs have a very different direction from that of the serial teeth of the hinge, and cannot be taken for teeth.

  2. Who performs a specified action or course of action repeatedly or regularly.

    Usage
    • not-comparable
    • of a person
    Synonyms
    Examples

    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.

    More examples (2)

    "No I could not!" Kate looked at Max sternly. "I am not a cheat and I am not a serial monogamist."

    “It’s easier to sort of attribute these deaths to a boogeyman serial killer as opposed to confronting the real possible reasons that these deaths are happening,” she said, pointing to mental health, substance abuse and housing issues.

  3. Published or produced in installments.

    Usage
    • not-comparable
  4. Of or relating to a grammatical aspect relating to an action that is habitual and ongoing.

    Usage
    • not-comparable

Noun

  1. A literary or dramatic work, such as a radio or television programme, published in installments, often numbered and without a specified end.

  2. A publication issued in successive parts, often numbered and with no predetermined end.

  3. A serial number, esp. one required to activate software.

    Usage
    • Slang
    Examples

    Go to these sites for serials, cracks and keygens.

  4. A unit of police officers equipped with shields to tackle a riot.

    Usage
    • UK usage
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    The practice, especially among members of shield serials, of 'whooping like cowboys and indians' and beating of truncheons on riot shields must cease as this tends to frighten and intimidate rioters.

    The serials worked in pairs, one with long shields and one with short shields.

Verb

  1. to assign a serial number to (especially of aircraft)

    Usage
    • Transitive

Adjective

  1. in regular succession without gaps

    Examples

    serial concerts

  2. pertaining to or composed in serial technique

    Examples

    serial music

  3. pertaining to or occurring in or producing a series

    Examples

    serial monogamy

    serial killing

    More examples (2)

    a serial killer

    serial publication

  4. of or relating to the sequential performance of multiple operations

    Examples

    serial processing

Noun

  1. a serialized set of programs

    Synonyms
    Examples

    a comedy series

    the Masterworks concert series

  2. a periodical that appears at scheduled times

    Broader terms
Word forms
serialsserialsserialingseriallingserialedserialedserialledserialled

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