Serial vs. Series: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 21, 2023
Serial refers to a format where a story is presented in sequential, regular installments, while a series is a set of similar or related items arranged or occurring in order.
Key Differences
Serial and Series, although seemingly similar, have distinctive meanings. A serial typically refers to a story or play appearing regularly over a period of time. It has a continual narrative, unfolding episode by episode. Conversely, a series is a collection of related but individual items or events occurring in sequence, like a television series where each episode has its own storyline but under a common theme or characters.
A serial is often characterized by its sequential and periodic nature, the storyline progresses in each installment, maintaining a continuous thread. In contrast, a series can consist of independent, standalone elements grouped together because they share a common theme, genre, or other characteristics, such as a series of books featuring the same protagonist in different adventures.
Delving deeper, a serial is usually published or broadcasted in regular intervals, maintaining continuity in the story. This format keeps the audience engaged over a period of time as they anticipate subsequent parts. A series, while also occurring in a sequence, often allows the consumer to experience each part independently without losing the essence, like a series of lectures or workshops on a common subject.
The essence of serial lies in continuity and progression, each part is a continuation of the previous one, forming a cohesive whole. Series, however, emphasizes the collection and arrangement of similar or related items, where each item can be a complete entity in itself but relates to the others in theme, subject, or characters.
To summarize, while serial emphasizes sequential progression and continuity in a single storyline, a series focuses on the collection and arrangement of individual yet related items or events that may or may not have a continuous narrative but share common characteristics.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A format presenting a story in regular installments.
A set of related items arranged or occurring in order.
Continuity
Contains continuous narrative in each installment.
May consist of standalone elements under a common theme.
Focus
On sequential and periodic unfolding of a story.
On the collection and arrangement of similar or related items.
Consumption
Regular intervals and maintaining continuity.
Each part can be experienced independently.
Nature
Progressive and cohesive.
Related but individual.
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Serial and Series Definitions
Serial
Pertaining to the sequential performance of multiple operations.
A serial processor executes one operation at a time.
Series
A set of related items or events presented or occurring in order.
She watched the entire series of the crime documentary in one night.
Serial
A story or play appearing regularly over a period of time.
The murder mystery was released as a serial in the monthly magazine.
Series
A sequence of elements with a similar theme or characteristic.
The artist showcased a series of landscape paintings.
Serial
Consisting of a series of connected events or elements.
Serial measurements were taken to monitor the changes.
Series
A succession of related events occurring or presented in continuation.
A series of fortunate events led to the discovery of the hidden treasure.
Serial
Occurring in a series rather than simultaneously.
The serial arrangement of the experiment ensured controlled conditions.
Series
A set of books, articles, or periodicals published as a group.
The author’s new series of fantasy novels has been well received.
Serial
A work of fiction delivered periodically in sequential parts.
The author decided to publish his novel as a serial online
Series
A number of objects or events arranged or coming one after the other in succession.
Serial
Of, forming, or arranged in a series.
Series
A set of stamps, coins, or currency issued in a particular period.
Serial
Published or produced in installments, as a novel or television drama.
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.
Serial
Relating to such publication or production.
Series
(Mathematics) The sum of a sequentially ordered finite or infinite set of terms.
Serial
Relating to or engaging in a series of similar acts or behaviors
Serial arson.
A serial procrastinator.
Series
(Geology) A group of rock formations closely related in time of origin and distinct as a group from other formations.
Serial
(Music) Relating to or based on a row of tones, especially the 12 pitches of the chromatic scale.
Series
(Grammar) A succession of coordinate elements in a sentence.
Serial
Of or relating to the sequential transmission of all the bits of a byte over one wire
A serial port.
A serial printer.
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.
Serial
Of or relating to the sequential performance of multiple operations
Serial processing.
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.
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.
Series
(Sports) A number of games played by the same two teams, often in succession.
Serial
Having to do with or arranged in a series.
Series
(Baseball) The World Series.
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.
Series
(Linguistics) A set of vowels or diphthongs related by ablaut, as in sing, sang, sung, and song.
Serial
Published or produced in installments.
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.
Serial
(grammar) Of or relating to a grammatical aspect relating to an action that is habitual and ongoing.
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.
Serial
A work, such as a work of fiction, published in installments, often numbered and without a specified end.
Series
(mathematics) The sequence of partial sums of a given sequence ai.
The harmonic series has been much studied.
Serial
A publication issued in successive parts, often numbered and with no predetermined end.
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.
Serial
A serial number, esp. one required to activate software.
Go to these sites for serials, cracks and keygens.
Series
(zoology) An unranked taxon.
Serial
(UK) A unit of police officers equipped with shields to tackle a riot.
Series
(botany) A subdivision of a genus, a taxonomic rank below that of section (and subsection) but above that of species.
Serial
(transitive) to assign a serial number to (especially of aircraft)
Series
(commerce) A parcel of rough diamonds of assorted qualities.
Serial
Of or pertaining to a series; consisting of a series; appearing in successive parts or numbers; as, a serial work or publication.
Series
(phonology) A set of consonants that share a particular phonetic or phonological feature.
Serial
Of or pertaining to rows.
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.
Serial
A publication appearing in a series or succession of part; a tale, or other writing, published in successive numbers of a periodical.
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.
Serial
A serialized set of programs;
A comedy series
The Masterworks concert series
Series
Any comprehensive group of animals or plants including several subordinate related groups.
Serial
A periodical that appears at scheduled times
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.
Serial
In regular succession without gaps;
Serial concerts
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.
Serial
Pertaining to or composed in serial technique;
Serial music
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.
Serial
Pertaining to or occurring in or producing a series;
Serial monogamy
Serial killing
A serial killer
Serial publication
Series
A parcel of rough diamonds of assorted qualities.
Serial
Of or relating to the sequential performance of multiple operations;
Serial processing
Series
Similar things placed in order or happening one after another;
They were investigating a series of bank robberies
Series
A serialized set of programs;
A comedy series
The Masterworks concert series
Series
A periodical that appears at scheduled times
Series
(sports) several contests played successively by the same teams;
The visiting team swept the series
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
Series
(mathematics) the sum of a finite or infinite sequence of expressions
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
Series
A number of games or contests played to determine an overall champion.
The team played a five-game series to determine the winner.
FAQs
Is a series a collection of related items?
Yes, a series is a set or collection of related items or events.
Does a series emphasize arrangement and collection?
Yes, a series emphasizes the arrangement and collection of related items or events.
Can a series of books have the same characters in different adventures?
Yes, a series of books can feature the same characters experiencing different adventures.
Does serial emphasize continuity and progression?
Yes, serial emphasizes sequential progression and continuity in a storyline.
Can a serial have independent episodes?
Typically, a serial has a continuous narrative, with episodes not independent.
Does series refer to a set of periodicals?
Yes, series can refer to a set of periodicals, books, or articles published as a group.
What is a serial in literature?
A serial in literature is a work presented in regular, sequential installments.
Can a series have a continuous narrative?
While it can, a series often consists of related but independent items or events.
Is a serial published at regular intervals?
Yes, a serial is usually published or broadcasted at regular intervals.
Is a serial cohesive and progressive?
Yes, a serial is generally cohesive and progressive, with a continuous narrative.
Can a serial be in the form of a play or a story?
Yes, a serial can be a play or a story presented in sequential installments.
Can series be used to describe a set of related lectures or workshops?
Yes, series can describe a set of related lectures, workshops, or other events.
Is a serial more about unfolding a single storyline?
Yes, a serial is more about the sequential and periodic unfolding of a single storyline.
Can series refer to a number of games or contests?
Yes, series can refer to a sequence of games or contests played to determine a champion.
Can a serial be consumed independently?
Typically, serial installments are not independent and are consumed in sequence.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
