severely
Severely (adverb) means In a harsh, extreme, or intense way. Example: “Several crops were severely affected by the long dry spell last summer.”
adverb
1
In a harsh, extreme, or intense way.
"Several crops were severely affected by the long dry spell last summer."
"The company was severely criticized for its handling of the recall."
"The building was severely damaged in the earthquake."
How to use severely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo an extreme or harsh degree.
Common pairings
severely damaged
severely limited
punished severely
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more severely
- Superlative
- most severely
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Several crops were _____ affected by the long dry spell last summer.
Etymology
From severe + the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for severely
See all rhymes for severely →Frequently asked questions
What does “severely” mean?
The word “severely” means in a harsh, extreme, or intense way. In plain terms, to an extreme or harsh degree.
How do you use “severely” in a sentence?
Here is “severely” used in a sentence: “The company was severely criticized for its handling of the recall.”
What part of speech is “severely”?
“Severely” is an adverb.
Is “severely” a common word?
“Severely” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between severely and seriously?
Both describe something intense, but severely stresses harshness or the degree of harm, as in "severely damaged," while seriously can also mean genuinely or earnestly. When describing injury or damage the two often overlap, though severely tends to sound more emphatic about the extent.
When should you use severely instead of badly?
Use severely for a more formal or emphatic tone, especially when writing about injury, illness, weather, or criticism, as in "severely injured" or "severely criticized." Badly is more casual, so severely is preferred when you want to stress the intensity or gravity of the situation.
What words commonly follow severely?
Severely frequently pairs with words describing harm or restriction, such as "severely injured," "severely damaged," "severely limited," "severely ill," and "severely criticized." It usually modifies verbs and adjectives that already carry a negative meaning, intensifying them.
