severe, stern, austere, ascetic mean given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint. severe implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness.

severe adjective (VERY SERIOUS) Add to word list causing great pain, difficulty, damage, etc.; very serious: a severe earthquake

SEVERE definition: harsh; unnecessarily extreme. See examples of severe used in a sentence.

1. harsh; unnecessarily extreme: severe criticism. 2. serious or stern in manner or appearance. 3. grave; critical: a severe illness. 4. rigidly restrained in style, taste, etc.; plain; austere.

The common usage is to describe tough or painful stuff, like icy snowstorms, merciless punishments, or grim conditions (e.g., a severe depression). If things are severe, they're serious.

harsh; unnecessarily extreme:severe criticism. stern in manner or appearance:Her hair was tied in a tight, severe bun. plain; without much decoration. grave; critical:a severe illness. of an extreme or …

Definition of severe adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

If you describe the appearance of someone or something as severe, you do not like its plain appearance and lack of decoration.

SEVERE meaning: 1 : very bad, serious, or unpleasant; 2 : causing a lot of physical pain or suffering

Some common synonyms of severe are ascetic, austere, and stern. While all these words mean "given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint," severe implies standards enforced without …