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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Severe: Meaning, Examples, and Common Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：extremely intense or serious (severe)

severe 🔊

/sɪˈvɪər/

adj.

very great or intense, often used to describe something bad like illness, pain, or weather that is extremely bad.

Severe pain illustration: person in hospital bed with discomfort

extremely intense or serious 🔊

➕

/ɪkˈstriːmli ɪnˈtɛns ɔːr ˈsɪəriəs/

adj.

Describes something that is very great in degree, often referring to negative situations like illness, pain, or extreme weather.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'severus' meaning 'serious, strict, or harsh'.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a stern judge saying 'See, very severe!' when giving a harsh sentence.

📖 Example

After the accident, he suffered from severe back pain that made it hard to walk. 🔊 After the accident, he suffered from severe back pain that made it hard to walk.

🔗 Collocations

severe pain – pain that is very intense

severe weather – extremely bad weather conditions like storms or blizzards

severe illness – a very serious disease or medical condition

🔄 Synonyms

serious (adj.) – extremely bad or dangerous

intense (adj.) – very great or strong in degree

extreme (adj.) – very severe or drastic

🚫 Antonyms

mild (adj.) – not severe; gentle or moderate

slight (adj.) – small in degree; not serious

moderate (adj.) – average in amount or intensity; not extreme

🌱 Derivatives

severely (adv.) – in a severe way

severity (n.) – the state of being severe

severeness (n.) – the quality of being severe (less common)

📖 Cultural Story

From Latin 'severus' (serious, strict). In ancient Rome, 'severitas' was a virtue. Entered English via Old French in the 15th century, keeping its sense of strictness and intensity.

Meaning 2：very strict or harsh (severe)

severe 🔊

/sɪˈvɪər/

adj.

very strict or harsh, not allowing any mistakes, leniency, or relaxation in rules or behavior.

Severe teacher illustration: strict teacher scolding student in classroom

very strict or harsh 🔊

➕

/ˈvɛri strɪkt ɔːr hɑːrʃ/

adj.

Describes rules or behavior that allow no mistakes, leniency, or relaxation; demanding complete compliance.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The new school principal is known for her severe rules about punctuality and homework completion. 🔊 The new school principal is known for her severe rules about punctuality and homework completion.

🔗 Collocations

severe punishment – a very harsh penalty for wrongdoing

severe criticism – very strong and harsh negative feedback

severe regulations – strict rules that must be followed exactly

🔄 Synonyms

strict (adj.) – demanding that rules are obeyed

harsh (adj.) – unkind or cruel in treatment

rigorous (adj.) – extremely thorough and strict

🚫 Antonyms

lenient (adj.) – not strict; allowing freedom

gentle (adj.) – mild and kind

easygoing (adj.) – relaxed and not strict

🌱 Derivatives

severely (adv.) – in a strict or harsh way

severity (n.) – the quality of being strict or harsh