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| Date: | 1500-1600 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | sévère, from Latin severus |
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se‧vere S3 W2
1 severe problems, injuries, illnesses etc are very bad or very serious : 
His injuries were quite severe.She's suffering from severe depression. The US faces severe economic problems. The storm caused severe damage.
very serious
His injuries were quite severe.She's suffering from severe depression.The US faces severe economic problems.The storm caused severe damage.2 severe weather is very bad and very extreme, and very hot, dry, cold etc
weather
3 a severe punishment is very strict or extreme : Drug smugglers can expect severe penalties.
punishment
Drug smugglers can expect severe penalties.4 severe criticism is very extreme and shows that you think someone has done something very badly : The president came under severe criticism for his handling of the crisis.
criticism
The president came under severe criticism for his handling of the crisis.5 very difficult and needing a lot of effort and skill : The negotiations will be a severe test of his abilities.
difficult
The negotiations will be a severe test of his abilities.6 someone who is severe behaves in a way that does not seem friendly or sympathetic, and is very strict or disapproving [= stern]: His slightly severe expression softened.
person
His slightly severe expression softened.7 very plain with little or no decoration : a rather severe red-brick building
plain
a rather severe red-brick building —severity
noun [uncountable and countable] We didn't realize the severity of her illness.
noun [uncountable and countable] We didn't realize the severity of her illness.
