se·vere
Pronounced:
/səˈviɚ/
Function:
adjectiveInflected forms:
se·ver·er; se·ver·estMeaning:
[or more se*vere; most se*vere] 1 a : very bad, serious, or unpleasant ▪ severe weather conditions ▪ The storm caused severe damage to the roof. ▪ a severe economic depression ▪ The patient is in severe pain. ▪ children with severe learning disabilities ▪ In the most severe cases, the disease can lead to blindness. b : causing a lot of physical pain or suffering ▪ He suffered a severe head injury. ▪ a severe cold/infection ▪ severe burns/wounds
2 : very harsh ▪ He faces severe penalties for his actions. ▪ The punishment was severe. ▪ severe criticism ▪ a severe critic
3 : requiring great effort ▪ The war was a severe test of his leadership. ▪ a severe challenge
4 : very formal, strict, and serious ▪ a severe young woman ▪ He's very generous despite his somewhat severe manner.
5 : not having much decoration : very plain ▪ a very severe style of architecture ▪ severe clothing ▪ a severe hairstyle
2 : very harsh ▪ He faces severe penalties for his actions. ▪ The punishment was severe. ▪ severe criticism ▪ a severe critic
3 : requiring great effort ▪ The war was a severe test of his leadership. ▪ a severe challenge
4 : very formal, strict, and serious ▪ a severe young woman ▪ He's very generous despite his somewhat severe manner.
5 : not having much decoration : very plain ▪ a very severe style of architecture ▪ severe clothing ▪ a severe hairstyle
—se·vere·ly adverb ▪ severely injured/punished ▪ The accident has severely limited her mobility.
—se·ver·i·ty /səˈverəti/ noun [noncount] ▪ At first, they didn't understand the severity of the problem/situation. ▪ We were shocked at the severity of the penalty. ▪ Treatment varies according to the severity of the symptoms.
/səˈverəti/ noun [noncount] ▪ At first, they didn't understand the severity of the problem/situation. ▪ We were shocked at the severity of the penalty. ▪ Treatment varies according to the severity of the symptoms.