Dictionary definition · severe
adjective
- intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality"severe pain"
- very strong or vigorous"a hard left to the chin"
- severely simple"a stark interior"
- unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment"a parent severe to the pitch of hostility"
- causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm"a dangerous operation"
- very bad in degree or extent"a severe worldwide depression"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).