severally
Americanadverb
-
separately, individually, or distinctly
-
each in turn; respectively
Etymology
Origin of severally
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at several, -ly
Explanation
Anything done severally is done separately or independently, like when your classmates are called severally, or one at a time, to come up and solve a math problem on the board. The adverb severally isn't used very often in everyday speech — it's much more common in legal documents. For example, a judge may find three defendants severally liable, or individually obligated to pay for something. The opposite of this is being jointly liable, or responsible along with at least one other person. Severally comes from several, which originally meant "separate."
Vocabulary lists containing severally
Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress
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King Lear
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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
U.K. and Russia agreed, jointly and severally, to protect Ukraine and to secure its borders.
From Salon • Aug. 13, 2025
As a freshman college student in South Carolina, he was sent for treatment to California, where doctors had to remove road asphalt from his severally damaged back.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2025
In the aftermath, the New IRA was viewed as being in complete disarray and the main narrative pushed in policing and security circles was that threat it posed had been severally blunted.
From BBC • Feb. 24, 2023
They subsidized the free press and public education, knowing that if they didn’t, both would be controlled and severally limited.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 27, 2020
During the operation, the muscles of the chest and abdomen were severally exercised.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
