noun
Common
severity
sih-VEHR-ih-tee
Severity (noun) means the quality of being harsh, strict, or extreme. Example: “Doctors were surprised by the severity of his symptoms.”
noun
1
The quality of being harsh, strict, or extreme.
"Doctors were surprised by the severity of his symptoms."
"The severity of the punishment shocked the courtroom."
"The severity of the storm forced all the ferries to stay in port."
2
The degree to which something bad or serious is present.
"Insurance payouts depend on the severity of the damage."
"Nurses rate each patient by the severity of their injury before deciding who is seen first."
"The severity of the drought became clear when the river dried up completely."
How to use severity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow bad, harsh, or serious something is.
Common pairings
severity of the injury
vary in severity
assess the severity
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Word forms
- Plural
- severities
Fill the gap
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Doctors were surprised by the _____ of his symptoms.
Etymology
From Middle French severite, from Latin severitas, from severus, "severe."
Synonyms
View more →
harshness
intensity
gravity
extremity
hardship
grimness
hardness
asperity
austereness
inclemency
badness
severeness
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for severity
See all rhymes for severity →Frequently asked questions
What does “severity” mean?
The word “severity” means the quality of being harsh, strict, or extreme. In plain terms, how bad, harsh, or serious something is.
How do you pronounce “severity”?
“Severity” is pronounced sih-VEHR-ih-tee (/səˈvɛɹ.ə.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “severity” in a sentence?
Here is “severity” used in a sentence: “Doctors were surprised by the severity of his symptoms.”
What is another word for “severity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “severity” include severeness.
What part of speech is “severity”?
“Severity” is a noun.
Where does the word “severity” come from?
The word “severity” comes from Latin. From Middle French severite, from Latin severitas, from severus, "severe.".
Is “severity” a common word?
“Severity” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “severity” have?
“Severity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of being harsh, strict, or extreme.
What is the difference between severity and seriousness?
Severity refers to the degree to which something bad or extreme is present, often emphasizing harshness or intensity. Seriousness more broadly describes how important or grave a matter is, without necessarily implying harshness.
How is 'severity' used when describing illness or weather?
In these contexts, 'severity' describes the degree to which a condition, such as an illness, storm, or symptom, is bad or extreme, for example 'the severity of the flooding' or 'the severity of her symptoms.'
What is the difference between severity and strictness?
Strictness usually refers to the enforcement of rules or discipline, while severity can describe both harsh treatment and the intensity or extent of a negative situation, giving it a broader range of use than strictness.
