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

Adjustments to anti-seizure medication have minimised the frequency and severity of any fits.

From BBC

After his arrest, police said the boy had "displayed an air of arrogance" and "did not appear to appreciate the severity of the situation".

From BBC

He called the experience surreal, and said even the most experienced officers had "never faced anything like the severity" of the violence.

From BBC

The debate is expected to intensify as wildfires increase in size and severity, in part because of climate change.

From Los Angeles Times

The authors conducted a sibling analysis to help minimize the influence of other factors, such as severity of diagnosis and underlying genetics, that may influence the results.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• harshness