Dictionary

serial en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˈsɪə.ɹɪ.əl/ (UK)
• /ˈsɪɹ.i.əl/ (US)
• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Formed as series + -al, on model of Latin seriālis, from seriēs + -ālis. Cognate to Italian seriale. First use appears c. 1823. See cite below.

Meanings

1. (not-comparable) Having to do with or arranged in a series.
   • These singular ribs have a very different direction from that of the serial teeth of the hinge, and cannot be taken for teeth. 1823, Royal Institution of Great Britain (contributor), The Quarterly Journal - Volume 14, page 318:
2. (not-comparable, of a person) Who performs a specified action or course of action repeatedly or regularly.
   • He was a serial entrepreneur, always coming up with a new way to make cash.
   • "No I could not!" Kate looked at Max sternly. "I am not a cheat and I am not a serial monogamist." 2012, Rachel James, Salisbury, Lulu.com, page 10:
   • “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. 2025 October 27, Dalia Faheid, “Bodies keep being recovered from the bayous around Houston. Why officials are convinced it’s not the work of a serial killer”, in CNN, archived from the original on 28 Oct 2025:
   • The serial killer had a string of victims across seven states.
3. (not-comparable) Published or produced in installments.
4. (not-comparable) Of or relating to a grammatical aspect relating to an action that is habitual and ongoing.

Deriveds

multiserial · serial polygamy · serial comma · serially · serial art · uniserial · biserial · seriality · postserial · serial time-encoded amplified microscopy · rectiserial · serial monogamy · serial key · serialise · serial port · serial rapist · serial file · serial number · serial position effect · serial monogamist · serial interval · serialistic · polyserial · quinqueserial · subserial · serial music · serial pest · pauciserial · serialist · serial killer · quadriserial · serialism · nonserial · serial bond · triserial · serialize

Synonyms

sequential · career

Translations (24)

de Serien- (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · pt seriado (Published or produced in installments) · pl seryjny (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · cy cyfres (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · hu sorozat (Published or produced in installments) · fi sarja- (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · es en serie (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · gl en serie (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · cy cyfresol (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · id serial (Published or produced in installments) · bg сериен (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · cs sériový (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · es serial (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · de seriell (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · el σειριακός (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · id cerbung (Published or produced in installments) · ca serial (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · id berantai (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · sv seriell (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · hi क्रमिक (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · pt serial (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · ro serial (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · hu sorozat- (Having to do with or arranged in a series) · it seriale (Having to do with or arranged in a series)

serial en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈsɪə.ɹɪ.əl/ (UK)
• /ˈsɪɹ.i.əl/ (US)
• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Formed as series + -al, on model of Latin seriālis, from seriēs + -ālis. Cognate to Italian seriale. First use appears c. 1823. See cite below.

Meanings

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. (slang) A serial number, esp. one required to activate software.
   • Go to these sites for serials, cracks and keygens.
4. (UK) A unit of police officers equipped with shields to tackle a riot.
   • 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. 1992, James Donald, Ali Rattansi, Race, Culture and Difference, page 66:
   • The serials worked in pairs, one with long shields and one with short shields. 2013, Tony Moore, Policing Notting Hill: Fifty Years of Turbulence, page 324:

Forms

Deriveds

daytime serial · teleserial · miniserial · nonserial

Descendants

сериа́л (TV-series)

Relateds

seriatim · seriate · fascicle · seriation · twelve tone technique · series

Translations (21)

bg сериал (publication) · pt serial (serial number required to activate software) · pt folhetim (literal work) · fi julkaisusarja (publication) · cy cyfnodolyn (publication) · fr feuilleton (literal work) · sv följetong (literal work) · hu folytatásos (literal work) · ga sraithiris (publication) · hi सीरियल (literal work) · cy cyfres (literal work) · vi mã kích hoạt (serial number required to activate software) · el σειρά (literal work) · fi kirjoitussarja (literal work) · ga sraith (fam) (literal work) · ta தொடர் (publication) · ga sraithchlár (literal work) · pt série (publication) · ta தொடர் (literal work) · fi jatkokertomus (literal work) · pt série (literal work)

serial en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /ˈsɪə.ɹɪ.əl/ (UK)
• /ˈsɪɹ.i.əl/ (US)
• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Formed as series + -al, on model of Latin seriālis, from seriēs + -ālis. Cognate to Italian seriale. First use appears c. 1823. See cite below.

Meanings

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

Forms