severe

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Very bad, serious, or intense.

   She suffered from severe pain after the accident.

2. 2
   adj

   Strict, harsh, or stern in how someone treats others.

   The teacher was severe with students who arrived late.

3. 3
   adj

   Plain and simple in appearance, with no decoration.

   She wore a severe black dress with no jewellery.

Common collocations

• severe blow Adjective + noun
• severe pain Adjective + noun
• severe burn Adjective + noun

From Middle French, from Latin severus (“severe, serious, grave in demeanor”).

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