severity

[suh-ver-i-tee]

noun

plural

severities 

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 Word Forms

• nonseverity noun
• overseverity noun
• superseverity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of severity¹

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

Example Sentences

“Vaccination continues to be one of the safest and most effective ways to protect against illness and reduce the severity of illness from COVID.”

From Los Angeles Times

Efforts to manage excess vegetation in fire-risk areas, as well as advances in preventing ignitions, fire detection and fire fighting could help reduce the number and severity fires in future.

From BBC

Last month, she revealed how she had also been affected by the severity of painful fibroids - abnormal growths that develop in the uterus.

From BBC

When the severity of the situation became apparent, she came back to Los Angeles and checked on her home before evacuating to a hotel in Marina del Rey.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite the exact severity of the injury being unclear, Arsenal knew enough to make a move.

From BBC

Related Words

• harshness www.thesaurus.com