severe
word
/səˈvɪɹ/
suh-VEER
/sɪvˈiə/
si-VEE-uh
Definition
Very serious, strong, or intense. It can describe bad weather, pain, damage, or rules and reactions that are very strict.
Usage & Nuances
Common with nouns like 'severe pain', 'severe weather', 'severe damage', and 'severe punishment'. For people, it often means strict or not warm: 'a severe teacher' or 'a severe expression'. Stronger and more formal than 'bad' or 'serious' in many contexts.
Spanish: grave - severoPortuguese (BR): grave - severoPortuguese (PT): grave - severoChinese (Simplified): 严重的 - 严厉的Chinese (Traditional): 嚴重的 - 嚴厲的Hindi: गंभीर - कड़ाArabic: شديد - صارمBengali: তীব্র - কঠোরRussian: серьёзный - тяжёлый - строгийJapanese: 厳しい - 深刻なVietnamese: nghiêm trọng - nghiêm khắcKorean: 심각한 - 엄격한Turkish: ağır - ciddi - sertUrdu: سخت - شدیدIndonesian: parah - berat - ketat
Example Sentences
He had severe pain in his back.
basic
The storm caused severe damage to the town.
basic
Our school has severe rules about cheating.
basic
She gave me a severe look and told me to sit down.
natural
The doctor says it isn't life-threatening, but it's still pretty severe.
natural
They issued a warning for severe weather later tonight.
natural