se·vere 
/səˈviɚ/ adjective
se·ver·er; se·ver·est /səˈviɚ/ adjective [or more severe; most severe] 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
▪ 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
▪ He faces severe penalties for his actions. ▪ The punishment was severe. ▪ severe criticism ▪ a severe critic
▪ The war was a severe test of his leadership. ▪ a severe challenge
▪ a severe young woman ▪ He's very generous despite his somewhat severe manner.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
