severed
Americanadjective
-
separated from the whole or divided into parts, as by cutting or the like.
The severed cables belonged to two internet companies.
-
(of ties or a relationship) broken off or dissolved.
One of the greatest tragedies we see in our work is the severed relationships between those in need and their family and friends.
-
Law. (of an estate, titles of a statute, etc.) divided into parts.
A practice known as severed property, or split estates, allows developers to keep or obtain mineral rights underneath privately owned land.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of severed
Explanation
Something severed is cut off from its whole. A severed rope turns into two detached and individual pieces. In a severed relationship, people lose communication with one another. To be severed is to be separated completely. Think of a tree branch being cut away from its trunk, or a connection being broken between two friends. The word comes from the Latin separare, meaning "to separate or pull apart." The adjective can refer to physical objects, like ropes or limbs, or to relationships and ties, such as friendships or contracts.
Vocabulary lists containing severed
Phineas Gage
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Compound Fracture
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The Black Girl Survives in This One
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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.
The Hall of Famer’s ties with Chicago were once again severed, this time with his firing in 1993 following a 5-11 season.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
You don’t have to think about it; your subconscious will reconnect those severed wires immediately.
From Salon ● Oct. 7, 2026
On Friday, neighbours Ethiopia and Eritrea severed diplomatic relations with each other after Addis Ababa accused Asmara of supporting a new rebel alliance - an allegation that it denied.
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
We discuss several obstacles to a merger, how many agents might leave in the event, how many would need to be severed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
“There are no such things. These severed arms are elf arms.”
From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
