# severed

/ˈsɛvɝd/ (US) · /sˈɛvəd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/severed
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. physically cut off

adjective · CEFR B2

completely cut off or separated from the main part.

For teachers: physically detached or separated by cutting; often used in medical or forensic contexts regarding limbs or cables.

- The storm left several severed power lines lying across the road.
- Surgeons worked for twelve hours to reattach the worker's severed finger after the industrial accident.

### 2. ended or broken

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

ended or broken, especially a relationship or a connection.

For teachers: metaphorically disconnected or terminated; typically applied to diplomatic ties, social relationships, or communication channels.

- After the argument, they lived with severed ties for many years.
- The embassy remained empty as a symbol of the severed diplomatic relations between the two warring nations.

### 3. past action of cutting

verb · CEFR B2

the past tense of 'sever', meaning to have cut something through completely.

For teachers: past tense and past participle of the transitive verb 'sever', indicating the completed action of dividing or separating by cutting.

- He severed the rope with a sharp knife to free the boat.
- The sudden tension in the cable eventually severed the connection, sending the heavy equipment crashing to the deck.

## Examples

- The power was severed during the storm.
- The company severed ties with the supplier after the contract expired.
- The sudden loss of funding severed the project's connection to its original goals, forcing the team to rethink their entire strategy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.