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Added 9 October 2026

severe

/sɪˈvɪə/ adjective

In Latin: tētricus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about severe at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Very bad or intense.
Strict or harsh.
a severe taskmaster
Sober, plain in appearance, austere.
a severe old maiden aunt

Origin

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

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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