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adjective · B1 · very often · UK/US

severe

severe

Meaning of severe

very serious

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How important is this word
B1very often

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Pronunciation
British English/sɪˈvɪə/
American English/səˈvɪr/
Russian transcription[ˈsʲilnɨj]
severe
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severe with Russian translation

severe usage examples

🇷🇺Russian🇬🇧English

Сильные штормы повредили крыши и линии электропередач в городе.

Severe storms damaged roofs and power lines in the town.

🇷🇺Russian🇬🇧English

Фермеры понесли сильные убытки урожая во время долгой засухи.

Farmers suffered severe crop losses during the long drought.

Learn by topic

severe belongs to the topic "Natural Phenomena". Start with a short 7-word set so the word is easier to remember in context.

severeсильный
seasons of the yearвремена года
springвесна
winterзима
beginначинаться
endзаканчиваться
temperatureтемпература

severe synonyms

Related word breakdowns

What's the difference between severe / strong / powerful / intense / heavy / harsh

🇬🇧English

Emphasizes physical force, effectiveness or degree (e.g. wind, taste, argument). Less inherently negative than 'severe'.

B1Very Often

The strong winds knocked down trees.

🇬🇧English

Focuses on force or influence (physical or figurative). Suggests capability or impact rather than just severity.

B1Often

A powerful gust broke the window.

🇬🇧English

Stresses concentrated degree or strength (e.g. intense heat, intense rain, intense feeling). Often about quality rather than duration.

B2Often

We experienced intense rainfall overnight.

🇬🇧English

Often refers to large quantity, weight or density (e.g. heavy rain, heavy traffic). More concrete and common in everyday speech.

B1Very Often

Heavy snowfall closed the roads.

H
🇬🇧English
harsh

Emphasizes roughness, severity in tone or conditions (harsh climate, harsh criticism). Carries a more negative connotation about treatment or quality.

B2Often

The region has a harsh winter climate.

A
🇬🇧English
acute

Means sharp, sudden and severe (acute pain, an acute problem). Tends to be used in medical or analytical contexts and implies immediacy.

B2Often

The disease can cause acute respiratory problems.

🇬🇧English

Stresses being at a very high or furthest degree (extreme weather). Often implies beyond normal limits and can be more dramatic than 'severe'.

B2Often

Extreme temperatures are expected this week.

🇬🇧English

Often means decisive or dangerously serious (critical condition/situation). Implies importance and urgency rather than only intensity.

B2Often

His injuries are critical and he needs surgery.

🇬🇧English

Conveys gravity or importance (serious problem, serious illness). Less about physical force and more about consequences or significance.

B1Very Often

He suffered a serious head injury.

What's the difference

Related words and lists for severe

How to pronounce severe and what this word means

severe means severe. This page includes translation, pronunciation, transcription, audio, usage examples and related words.

how to pronounce severe

/sɪˈvɪə/

severe translation

severe

severe examples

Severe storms damaged roofs and power lines in the town.

severe transcription

/sɪˈvɪə/, /səˈvɪr/

Questions about this word

severe meaning: what does it mean?

very serious

severe pronunciation: how do you pronounce it?

severe is pronounced as /sɪˈvɪə/. Audio is available on this page when the word has a recording.

severe definition and sentence examples: how is it used in a sentence?

Severe storms damaged roofs and power lines in the town. Translation: Сильные штормы повредили крыши и линии электропередач в городе.

Is severe part of Natural Phenomena vocabulary?

Yes, severe can be learned in the Natural Phenomena topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.

Is severe part of Weather and Seasons vocabulary?

Yes, severe can be learned in the Weather and Seasons topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.

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