WordGarden.ioserial
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈiərɪəl/
US
- /ˈsɪˌriəl/
Meanings
Adjective
arranged, numbered, or happening in a series, one after another
published, broadcast, or released in separate installments
in computing or electronics, sending or handling data one unit at a time in order
More meaningsFewer meanings
repeated as a pattern by the same person, especially in crimes or relationships
Noun
a story, program, or publication released in installments
Beyond the definition
The word "serial" usually describes something that happens in a series or comes in separate parts. Think of a serial killer, where the crimes happen again and again over time, or a serial novel, where the story is published in chapters instead of all at once. The idea comes from the Latin series, meaning row or sequence.
The context matters. Sometimes it describes repeated behavior, as in a serial offender or a serial entrepreneur. Sometimes it describes the way something is released, like a TV story told episode by episode. You will also meet it in phrases like serial number or serial communication, where the idea is still order: things are arranged, sent, or tracked one by one.
"Serial" is a word about order and repetition. At its core, it describes something that happens in a series, one after another, or something that is presented in separate parts. The idea comes from the Latin word series, meaning row or sequence.
Many people first notice the word in phrases like serial killer or serial offender. In this use, it describes acts that are repeated by the same person over time. The same pattern appears in less dramatic examples too: a serial entrepreneur starts one business after another, and serial monogamy describes a person moving from one serious relationship to the next.
But "serial" is not only about behavior. It is also used for stories and shows that arrive in parts. A serial novel is published in installments, often chapter by chapter over time. Many TV dramas also have a serial form, with one connected story unfolding episode by episode rather than being fully self-contained each week.
The word also appears in technical and everyday labels. A serial number is a unique number used to identify and track a product. In computing and electronics, serial communication means data is sent one bit after another along a single path. Even there, the same core idea remains: things move in order, step by step.
Whether it describes repeated actions, stories told in installments, or data sent in sequence, "serial" always points to order, continuation, and repetition. It is a flexible word, but the central image stays the same: one thing following another.
Examples
- 1
Newspaper story
I’m reading a detective story that first appeared as a newspaper serial.
- 2
TV drama
We watched the final episode of the TV serial last night.
- 3
Software setup
Enter the serial number when you install the software.
- Phraseserial number
the unique number for one product or device
- 4
Crime context
The police were looking for a serial burglar who had broken into five houses.
- Patternserial + crime noun
repeated similar crimes by the same person
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Business profile
She’s a serial entrepreneur and rarely stays with one company for long.
- Patternserial + role noun
someone who does the same thing many times
- 6
Data transmission
This machine sends the data in serial rather than all at once.
- Phrasein serial
one after another, not at the same time
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- serial number
- serial communication
- serial processing
- serial publication
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- serialnounadjective
Forms
- serialspluralnounadjective