Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Se·vere

   /səˈvir/

   

   adjective

   • 1. (of something bad or undesirable) very great; intense: "a severe shortage of technicians" Similar acutevery badseriousgravecriticaldiredrasticgrievousextremedreadfulterribleawfulfrightfulappallingsorealarmingworryingdistressingdangerousperilouslife-threateningperacuteprofoundarchaic, humorous:parlousfierceviolentstrongwildpowerfulforcefulintensetempestuousturbulenttumultuousexcruciatingagonizingviolentintensedreadfulawfulterriblefrightfulunbearableintolerableunendurablestabbingshootinginformal:splittingthumpingpoundingOpposite minornegligiblegentleslight
   • ▪ demanding great ability, skill, or resilience: "a severe test of stamina" Similar very difficultdemandinghardtougharduousformidabletaxingexactingrigorouspunishingonerousgruelingburdensomeheavyback-breakinguphillstiffOpposite easysimple
   • 2. strict or harsh: "the charges would have warranted a severe sentence" Similar harshhardbitterbitterly coldcoldbleakfreezingicyarcticpolarSiberianextremenastyharshscathingsharpstrongfierceferociousstringentsavageblisteringsearingstingingscorchingdevastatingmordanttrenchantcausticbitingcuttingwitheringrigorousunsparingsmartsoundextortionateexcessiveunreasonableinordinateoutrageoussky-highharshstiffpunitivepunishingpenalswingeingstrictsternrigorousharshhardinflexibleuncompromisinginexorableimplacablerigidunbendingrelentlessunrelentingunyieldingmercilesspitilessruthlessdraconianoppressiverepressivepunitiveroughnastytyrannicaliron-fistediron-handedbrutalinhumancruelsavageinformal:solidOpposite mildmildlenientlax
   • 3. very plain in style or appearance: "she wore another severe suit, gray this time" Similar plainsimplerestrainedunadornedundecoratedunembellishedunornamentedausterechastesparestarkultra-plainunfussywithout frillsspartanasceticmonasticpuritanicalfunctionalclinicalunclutteredclassicOpposite ornatefancy

   Word Origin mid 16th century (in severe (sense 2)): from French sévère or Latin severus.

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • S

     1

   • E

     1

   • V

     4

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less