serial: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Formal. Common in media, literary, computing, and academic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “serial” mean?
A story or set of events presented or occurring in a regular sequence of parts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A story or set of events presented or occurring in a regular sequence of parts.
Pertaining to something that is published, broadcast, or occurs in successive parts; also refers to something done repeatedly in the same way, or a person who commits a series of similar crimes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The term 'serial' is standard in both varieties for all core meanings.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both dialects. The term carries neutral to negative connotations depending on context (e.g., 'serial entrepreneur' vs. 'serial killer').
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties across media, tech, and criminology contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “serial” in a Sentence
serial + noun (e.g., serial novel)be + serial + in + gerund/noun (e.g., He is serial in his approach)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “serial” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The story was released serially over twelve weeks.
American English
- The journal publishes serially, with new issues each quarter.
adjective
British English
- The novel was first published in serial form in a monthly magazine.
- Police are hunting a suspected serial burglar in the county.
American English
- The tech entrepreneur is a serial founder of successful startups.
- Connect the device using the old serial port on the back.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a 'serial entrepreneur' (someone who starts multiple businesses) or 'serial acquisition'.
Academic
Used in literary studies ('serial narrative'), criminology ('serial crime'), and computer science ('serial communication').
Everyday
Common when discussing TV shows, books published in parts, or repeatedly occurring behaviours.
Technical
In computing: 'serial cable', 'serial interface', 'serial data transmission'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “serial”
- Using 'serial' to mean only 'TV series' (it's one type). Confusing 'cereal' (food) with 'serial'. Using 'serial' as a synonym for 'series' in all contexts.
- Misspelling as 'sereal' or 'cerial'. Incorrect stress in speech (should be on the first syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Series' is the broader term for a number of related things or events. 'Serial' specifically emphasises that these parts are released, broadcast, or occur in a strict sequence over time, often with a continuous storyline.
Very rarely and not in standard modern English. The verb form is essentially obsolete. The adverbial form 'serially' is more common.
Not exactly. A 'soap opera' is a specific, ongoing type of serial drama. A 'serial' is the overarching format; all soap operas are serials, but not all serials are soap operas (e.g., a limited crime serial).
It comes from data being transmitted sequentially, one bit after another, in a single 'series' over a communication channel, as opposed to 'parallel' transmission where multiple bits are sent simultaneously.
A story or set of events presented or occurring in a regular sequence of parts.
Serial is usually neutral to formal. common in media, literary, computing, and academic contexts. in register.
Serial: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪə.ri.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪr.i.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Serial offender”
- “Serial dater”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CEREAL (breakfast food) coming in a SERIES in a box, just like a SERIAL story comes in a series of episodes.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A NARRATIVE (a serial life is one with repeated, similar chapters); PROCESSES ARE SEQUENCES (serial processing).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'serial' NOT typically imply a negative connotation?