Meaning & use

serial

adjective·Academic

Occurring in a series or sequence, especially describing something published or produced in regular installments.

See it in a sentence

The novel first appeared as a serial story in a weekly magazine.

Police eventually identified him as a serial offender after linking several similar crimes.

A note on using this word

Serial often carries a negative connotation before words like offender or killer, describing repeated wrongdoing over time.

Words with a similar meaning

sequentialsuccessive

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

A story or program published or broadcast in regular installments.

She looked forward to each new episode of the radio serial every Sunday night.

Make it your own

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