severe

Pronunciation: /sɪˈvɪɹ/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
  2. adjective very strong or vigorous
  3. adjective severely simple

Etymology

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

In classic literature

Synonyms

terrible, wicked

Semantic network

Similar
intense

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