severe
severe
/sɪˈvɪə(r)/
more severe and most severe are more common.
very bad
1 extremely bad or serious
His injuries are severe.
severe pain/depression/asthma
a severe illness/disease
severe weather/storms
a severe winter (= one during which the weather conditions are extremely bad)
The fire has caused severe damage to the building.
The victim suffered severe brain damage.
a severe shortage of qualified staff
The party suffered severe losses during the last election.
severe symptoms
a severe case of woodworm
Strikes are causing severe disruption to all train services.
If the pain becomes severe, you may wish to contact a doctor.
punishment
2 punishing somebody in an extreme way when they break a particular set of rules
a severe punishment/sentence/penalty
severe on/with somebody The courts are becoming more severe on young offenders.
Her parents were never so severe with her older brother.
not kind
3 not kind or showing sympathy; not smiling or showing approval
a severe expression
She fixed them with a very severe look.
She was a severe woman who seldom smiled.
very difficult
4 extremely difficult and requiring a lot of skill or ability
The marathon is a severe test of stamina.
style/appearance/clothing
5 (disapproving) extremely plain and without any decoration
Modern furniture is a little too severe for my taste.
Her hair was short and severe.
He was wearing a severe dark grey jacket.
Word Origin
mid 16th cent. (in sense (2)): from French sévère or Latin severus.
e.g.