severity

[ suh-ver-i-tee ]

noun

, plural se·ver·i·ties.

1. harshness, sternness, or rigor:

   Their lives were marked by severity.

2. austere simplicity, as of style, manner, or taste:

   The severity of the decor was striking.

3. intensity or sharpness, as of cold or pain.
4. grievousness; hard or trying character or effect:

   The severity of his loss was finally becoming apparent.

5. rigid exactness or accuracy.
6. an instance of strict or severe behavior, punishment, etc.

Other Words From

• nonse·veri·ty noun plural nonseverities
• over·se·veri·ty noun
• super·se·veri·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of severity¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin sevēritās, from sevēr(us) severe + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

Worldwide, the number of displaced people has been climbing alongside what appears to be the rising severity of disasters, and research suggests that by later this century as much as one-third of civilization — billions of people — could be facing the kind of heat and drought that had prohibited most human settlement for thousands of years.

From Salon

The 1982 report, prepared by Anglican clergyman Mark Ruston, about the canings said "the scale and severity of the practice was horrific", with accounts of boys beaten so badly they bled, with one describing how he needed to wear nappies until his wounds scabbed over.

From BBC

But after Coltart managed to track down the Rushton report, the severity of the problem became apparent.

From BBC

Depending on its severity, women may find their quality of life decline.

From BBC

In 2022-24, Dr Satwik surveyed over 370 women between the ages of 40 and 60 on their symptoms and its severity.

From BBC

Related Words

• harshness