severely

[suh-veer-lee]

adverb

1. in a very stern, strict, or harsh way.

   One day he was caught taking a few pieces of scrap wood and was severely punished with two weeks of hard labor.

2. to a grave, far-reaching, or critical degree; seriously.

   Severely ill patients with kidney infections may be hospitalized until they can take fluids and medications on their own.

3. in a very simple, plain, or austere style or manner.

   She wore her hair severely tied back in a ponytail and refused to wear anything feminine.

4. in a very challenging or exacting way that is difficult to endure.

   The Great Depression severely tested the parish, as the church building was almost lost to creditors.

5. to a distressing or highly uncomfortable degree.

   Much of North America experiences periods of severely cold weather and is susceptible to snow and ice storms.

Other Word Forms

• overseverely adverb
• superseverely adverb
• unseverely adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of severely¹

severe ( def. ) + -ly

Related Words

• acutely 
• badly 
• critically 
• dangerously www.thesaurus.com
• extremely 
• firmly 
• markedly 
• painfully www.thesaurus.com
• seriously 
• sharply www.thesaurus.com
• sorely 
• sternly 
• strictly