Serial vs. Series: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 25, 2023
A "serial" is a story or play appearing in regular installments, while a "series" is a set of related items or events presented in succession.
Difference Between Serial and Series
"Serial" and "series" are terms that hold similarities yet showcase distinct characteristics. They both pertain to sequences or sets, but the nuances in their meanings and applications set them apart.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
The term "serial" primarily refers to a narrative, often in the realm of entertainment or literature, that unfolds in a sequential manner. Typically, a serial offers portions of a broader story or content in scheduled intervals. It ensures that the audience remains engaged over an extended period, anticipating the next installment. Serials have been popular in magazines, radio, and television. An example would be a novel published in successive chapters in a magazine.
Muazma Batool
Sep 25, 2023
In contrast, a "series" denotes a collection or succession of similar or related items, events, or actions. It may encompass episodes of a television show, books in a trilogy, or even a set of data points in statistics. While a series does represent a continuation of some form, each component of a series can sometimes stand alone in its entirety. In entertainment, a television series may have episodes that, though related, present different plots or stories.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
While "serial" denotes continuity and progression crucial to understanding the narrative, a "series" might not always require such a progressive approach. It's also worth noting that all serials can be considered a series, but not all series are serials.
Henry
Sep 25, 2023
These terms, though closely related, emphasize different aspects of sequences. Whether it's the unfolding drama of a serial narrative or the diverse yet related components of a series, understanding the distinction enriches our comprehension of sequential content.
Elijah
Sep 25, 2023
Serial vs. Series Comparison Chart
Definition
A story or play in regular installments
A set of related items/events in succession
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
Examples
Chapters in magazines, radio dramas
TV show episodes, books in a trilogy
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
Serial vs. Series Definitions
◉Serial
Relating to the sequential order of things.
The serial process requires one step to be completed before the next.
Elijah
Sep 25, 2023
◉Series
A set of related things presented or occurring in order.
She watched the entire series of the show in one weekend.
Nolan
Sep 25, 2023
◉Serial
Denoting a story or play released in successive parts.
The mystery serial kept readers eagerly waiting for the next chapter.
Nolan
Sep 25, 2023
◉Series
A sequence of events of the same class or nature.
The lecture series will cover various scientific topics.
Muazma Batool
Sep 25, 2023
◉Serial
Pertaining to the regular release of a story or play.
The novel was first introduced as a serial in the magazine.
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Sep 25, 2023
◉Series
A set of data points or values.
The graph shows a time series of monthly sales.
Elijah
Sep 25, 2023
◉Serial
Occurring in a series rather than all at once.
The company released the updates on a serial basis.
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Sep 25, 2023
◉Series
A number of events or objects of a similar kind following one another.
The baseball team won the series with four victories.
Nolan
Sep 25, 2023
◉Series
A number of objects or events arranged or coming one after the other in succession.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
Published or produced in installments, as a novel or television drama.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
Physics & Chemistry A group of objects related by linearly varying successive differences in form or configuration
a radioactive decay series.
the paraffin alkane series.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
Relating to or engaging in a series of similar acts or behaviors
serial arson.
a serial procrastinator.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
(Mathematics) The sum of a sequentially ordered finite or infinite set of terms.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
(Music) Relating to or based on a row of tones, especially the 12 pitches of the chromatic scale.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
(Geology) A group of rock formations closely related in time of origin and distinct as a group from other formations.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
Of or relating to the sequential transmission of all the bits of a byte over one wire
a serial port.
a serial printer.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
Of or relating to the sequential performance of multiple operations
serial processing.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
A succession of publications that present an extended narrative, such as a comic book series, or that have similar subjects or similar formats, such as a series of cookbooks.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
A work of entertainment, as in film or literature, published or produced in installments that usually contain a narrative thread or overarching theme; a series.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
A succession of individual programs presented as parts of a unified whole, such as the set of episodes of a television show or a podcast.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
(Sports) A number of games played by the same two teams, often in succession.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
(of a person) Who performs a specified action or course of action repeatedly or regularly.
The serial killer had a string of victims across seven states.
He was a serial entrepreneur, always coming up with a new way to make cash.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
(Linguistics) A set of vowels or diphthongs related by ablaut, as in sing, sang, sung, and song.
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◉Serial
(grammar) Of or relating to a grammatical aspect relating to an action that is habitual and ongoing.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
A number of things that follow on one after the other or are connected one after the other.
A series of seemingly inconsequential events led cumulatively to the fall of the company.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
A work, such as a work of fiction, published in installments, often numbered and without a specified end.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
(broadcasting) A television or radio program which consists of several episodes that are broadcast in regular intervals
“Friends” was one of the most successful television series in recent years.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
A publication issued in successive parts, often numbered and with no predetermined end.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
(mathematics) The sequence of partial sums of a given sequence ai.
The harmonic series has been much studied.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
A serial number, esp. one required to activate software.
Go to these sites for serials, cracks and keygens.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
A group of matches between two sides, with the aim being to win more matches than the opposition.
The Blue Jays are playing the Yankees in a four-game series.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
(UK) A unit of police officers equipped with shields to tackle a riot.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
(botany) A subdivision of a genus, a taxonomic rank below that of section (and subsection) but above that of species.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
Of or pertaining to a series; consisting of a series; appearing in successive parts or numbers; as, a serial work or publication.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
(phonology) A set of consonants that share a particular phonetic or phonological feature.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
A publication appearing in a series or succession of part; a tale, or other writing, published in successive numbers of a periodical.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
(electronics) Connected one after the other in a circuit, in series.
You have to connect the lights in series for them to work properly.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
a serialized set of programs;
a comedy series
the Masterworks concert series
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
A number of things or events standing or succeeding in order, and connected by a like relation; sequence; order; course; a succession of things; as, a continuous series of calamitous events.
During some years his life a series of triumphs.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
Any comprehensive group of animals or plants including several subordinate related groups.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
In Engler's system of plant classification, a group of families showing certain structural or morphological relationships. It corresponds to the cohort of some writers, and to the order of many modern systematists.
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
An indefinite number of terms succeeding one another, each of which is derived from one or more of the preceding by a fixed law, called the law of the series; as, an arithmetical series; a geometrical series.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
pertaining to or occurring in or producing a series;
serial monogamy
serial killing
a serial killer
serial publication
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
A mode of arranging the separate parts of a circuit by connecting them successively end to end to form a single path for the current; - opposed to parallel. The parts so arranged are said to be in series.
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
of or relating to the sequential performance of multiple operations;
serial processing
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May 03, 2023
◉Serial
Having to do with the regular and sequential broadcast of a story.
The radio show is a popular serial drama.
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Sep 25, 2023
◉Series
similar things placed in order or happening one after another;
they were investigating a series of bank robberies
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
a serialized set of programs;
a comedy series
the Masterworks concert series
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Series
(sports) several contests played successively by the same teams;
the visiting team swept the series
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
a group of postage stamps having a common theme or a group of coins or currency selected as a group for study or collection;
the Post Office issued a series commemorating famous American entertainers
his coin collection included the complete series of Indian-head pennies
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
(mathematics) the sum of a finite or infinite sequence of expressions
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
(electronics) connection of components in such a manner that current flows first through one and then through the other;
the voltage divider consisted of a series of fixed resistors
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May 03, 2023
◉Series
A succession of items of similar nature.
The author wrote a series of novels set in the same universe.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
Serial vs. Series Frequently Asked Questions
How does a "series" differ from a "serial"?
A "series" is a set of related items or events, while a "serial" emphasizes continuous narrative progression.
Muazma Batool
Sep 25, 2023
In literature, how might a series differ from a serial?
A series might include related books that don't require reading in order, while a serial would need to be read in sequence for full understanding.
Olivia
Sep 25, 2023
What does "serial" typically refer to?
"Serial" often refers to a story or play released in regular installments.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
Which term, serial or series, indicates that progression is essential?
"Serial" indicates that progression is key for understanding.
Kaitlyn
Sep 25, 2023
Can a television show be both a serial and a series?
Yes, if the show has episodes that follow a continuous narrative, it's a serial, but it's also a series since it's a set of related episodes.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
Content Creators
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Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
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Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
