Word Games Pro Dictionary

severe

adjective

causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm

Quick reference

Word Facts

Word length
6
Starts with
S
Ends with
E
Contains
EV
Scrabble score
9
Database source
OEWN 2025 Core

How it sounds

Pronunciation

sɪˈvɪr

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Audio Pronunciation

Audio pronunciation is unavailable for this word.

Meaning

Definitions

adjective

  1. causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm

    “a dangerous operation”

adjective

  1. very bad in degree or extent

    “a severe worldwide depression”

adjective

  1. unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment

    “{'source': 'H.G.Wells', 'text': 'a parent severe to the pitch of hostility'}”

adjective

  1. intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

    “severe pain”

adjective

  1. severely simple

    “a stark interior”

adjective

  1. very strong or vigorous

    “a hard left to the chin”

In context

Example Sentences

a dangerous operation
a grave situation
a grave illness
grievous bodily harm
a serious wound
a severe worldwide depression
the house suffered severe damage
{'source': 'H.G.Wells', 'text': 'a parent severe to the pitch of hostility'}
a hefty six-footer with a rather severe mien
a strict disciplinarian
a Spartan upbringing
severe pain
a severe case of flu
a terrible cough
under wicked fire from the enemy's guns
a wicked cough
a stark interior
a hard left to the chin
a knockout punch
a severe blow

Similar words

Synonyms

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