alvorlige

Alvorlige is a Norwegian adjective meaning serious, grave, or severe. It is used to describe things that carry substantial gravity or significance, such as health conditions, events, situations, actions, or statements. The form alvorlige is the plural or definite plural inflected form of the base adjective alvorlig.

Common usages include phrases such as alvorlige sykdommer (serious illnesses), alvorlige konsekvenser (serious consequences), alvorlige spørsmål (serious questions), and alvorlige hendelser (serious incidents). In headlines and formal writing, alvorlige helps convey that the subject requires careful attention or has important consequences.

In grammar, alvorlig serves as the base form, suitable for singular subjects, while alvorlige accompanies plural nouns. The adjective can describe people, objects, or abstract concepts, reflecting degree rather than emotion alone; it often signals risk, gravity, or the need for careful handling.

Etymologically, alvorlig is rooted in older forms that convey weight or gravity, aligning with its central sense of seriousness. The word has cognates in other Scandinavian languages, such as Swedish allvarlig and Danish alvorlig, which share the core meaning of gravity and severity.

See also: allvarlig, seriousness, gravity.