Definitions
01very bad or intense
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. used to describe something very bad, serious, or painful, like an injury or a storm.
adj. denoting something very great or intense in a negative or harmful way.
日本語:深刻※
“The area suffered severe damage after the hurricane hit the coast.”
“The patient was admitted with severe abdominal pain that had not responded to over-the-counter medication.”
Usage
Often collocates with 'damage', 'pain', 'weather', or 'shortage'.
02strict or harsh
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. very strict or demanding, especially when punishing someone or making rules.
adj. stern or strict in manner, discipline, or judgement.
日本語:厳しい※
Español:severo
“The judge gave a severe warning to the lawyers for their behavior.”
“The headteacher was known for her severe discipline, rarely allowing even the smallest infraction to go unpunished.”
Usage
Commonly used to describe people, punishments, or criticisms.
03plain or austere
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. very simple and plain, without any decoration or extra details.
adj. unadorned or austere in style or appearance.
“She wore a severe black dress with no jewelry to the meeting.”
“The building's severe concrete facade reflected the minimalist architectural trends of the late twentieth century.”
Teaching tip
In a fashion or architectural context, this suggests a lack of friendliness or warmth due to extreme simplicity.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “severe” in context.
Adjective
01. severe depression
“The patient was diagnosed with severe depression and was prescribed medication and therapy.”
adj + noun
02. severe drought
03. severe illness
04. severe burns
05. severe damage
06. severe enough
07. severe restrictions
08. severe storms
09. concurrent severe
10. conjunction severe
11. limit severe
Real-World Examples
“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.” Etymology
From Middle French, from Latin severus (“severe, serious, grave in demeanor”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/severe
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0