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severe
/sɪˈvɪr/
extremely serious or intense
The doctor warned that the patient's condition was severe.
This means the patient's condition was very serious and required urgent attention.
formal
Extremely serious or intense in nature, often implying danger or urgency.
The storm caused severe damage to the coastal towns.
The storm was very destructive, causing significant harm to the towns.
She suffered from severe pain after the accident.
She experienced intense and serious pain following the accident.
Often used in medical, weather, or emergency contexts to emphasize the seriousness of a situation.
Collocations
severe weatherextreme weather conditionssevere painintense and serious painsevere consequencesvery serious outcomes
Pro Tip
Formal Usage
Use 'severe' in formal contexts such as medical reports, weather forecasts, or legal documents to emphasize seriousness.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'severe,' from Old French 'severe,' from Latin 'severus,' meaning 'stern, strict, or serious.'
Usage Notes
Often used in formal contexts to describe situations that are extremely serious or intense. Avoid using it for minor issues.
Word Breakdown
severe
stern or strict
rootEnglish Dictionary