severe
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
used to describe something very bad, serious, or painful, like an injury or a storm.
denoting something very great or intense in a negative or harmful way.
Simple“The area suffered severe damage after the hurricane hit the coast.”
In context“The patient was admitted with severe abdominal pain that had not responded to over-the-counter medication.”
UsageOften collocates with 'damage', 'pain', 'weather', or 'shortage'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
very strict or demanding, especially when punishing someone or making rules.
stern or strict in manner, discipline, or judgement.
Simple“The judge gave a severe warning to the lawyers for their behavior.”
In context“The headteacher was known for her severe discipline, rarely allowing even the smallest infraction to go unpunished.”
UsageCommonly used to describe people, punishments, or criticisms.
- 03 C1 Advanced
very simple and plain, without any decoration or extra details.
unadorned or austere in style or appearance.
Simple“She wore a severe black dress with no jewelry to the meeting.”
In context“The building's severe concrete facade reflected the minimalist architectural trends of the late twentieth century.”
Teacher's tipIn a fashion or architectural context, this suggests a lack of friendliness or warmth due to extreme simplicity.
Usage severe drought · severe illness · severe burns
“Macara said the injuries were "severe and disfiguring" but evidence showed they were likely "survivable".”
“A similarly severe emergency developed west of Bordeaux in southwestern France.”
From Middle French, from Latin severus (“severe, serious, grave in demeanor”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.