severity

UK: /sɪˈvɛrəti/ US: /səˈvɛrɪti/ ,(sə ver′i tē)

Inflections of 'severity' (n): npl: severities

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

se•ver•i•ty  (sə ver′i tē), n., pl. -ties. 

1. harshness, sternness, or rigor:
   Their lives were marked by severity.
2. austere simplicity, as of style, manner, or taste:
   The severity of the decor was striking.
3. intensity or sharpness, as of cold or pain.
4. grievousness;
   hard or trying character or effect:
   The severity of his loss was finally becoming apparent.
5. rigid exactness or accuracy.
6. an instance of strict or severe behavior, punishment, etc.

• Latin sevēritās, equivalent. to sevēr(us) severe + -itās -ity
• 1475–85

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

se•vere /səˈvɪr/   adj., -ver•er, -ver•est. 

1. harsh; unnecessarily extreme:
   severe criticism.
2. stern in manner or appearance:
   Her hair was tied in a tight, severe bun.
3. plain;
   without much decoration.
4. grave;
   critical:
   a severe illness.
5. of an extreme or violent nature:
   severe thunderstorms.
6. difficult to endure, perform, etc.:
   a severe test of strength.
7. very exact;
   demanding:
   severe standards.

se•vere•ly, adv. 
se•ver•i•ty /səˈvɛrɪti/  n. 

[uncountable] the severity of his condition.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

se•vere  (sə vēr′), adj., -ver•er, -ver•est. 

1. harsh;
   unnecessarily extreme:
   severe criticism; severe laws.
2. serious or stern in manner or appearance:
   a severe face.
3. grave;
   critical:
   a severe illness.
4. rigidly restrained in style, taste, manner, etc.;
   simple, plain, or austere.
5. causing discomfort or distress by extreme character or conditions, as weather, cold, or heat;
   unpleasantly violent, as rain or wind, or a blow or shock.
6. difficult to endure, perform, fulfill, etc.:
   a severe test of his powers.
7. rigidly exact, accurate, or methodical:
   severe standards.

• Latin sevērus, or back formation from severity
• 1540–50

se•vere′ly, adv. 
se•vere′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. strict, hard. See stern ¹.
• 4. unadorned.
• 7. demanding, exacting.

Antonyms

• 1. lenient.
• 2. gentle.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

severe / sɪˈvɪə/ adjective

1. rigorous or harsh in the treatment of others; strict: a severe parent
2. serious in appearance or manner; stern
3. critical or dangerous: a severe illness
4. causing misery or discomfort by its harshness: severe weather
5. strictly restrained in appearance; austere: a severe way of dressing
6. hard to endure, perform, or accomplish: a severe test

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin sevērus

seˈverely adverb

seˈvereness, severity / sɪˈvɛrɪtɪ/ noun