Dictionary.com

severity

[ suh-ver-i-tee ]
/ sÉ™Ėˆvɛr ÉŖ ti /
Save This Word!

noun, plural seĀ·verĀ·iĀ·ties.
harshness, sternness, or rigor: Their lives were marked by severity.
austere simplicity, as of style, manner, or taste: The severity of the decor was striking.
intensity or sharpness, as of cold or pain.
grievousness; hard or trying character or effect: The severity of his loss was finally becoming apparent.
rigid exactness or accuracy.
an instance of strict or severe behavior, punishment, etc.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of severity

1475–85; <Latin sevēritās, equivalent to sevēr(us) severe + -itās-ity

OTHER WORDS FROM severity

nonĀ·seĀ·verĀ·iĀ·ty, noun, plural nonĀ·seĀ·verĀ·iĀ·ties.oĀ·verĀ·seĀ·verĀ·iĀ·ty, nounsuĀ·perĀ·seĀ·verĀ·iĀ·ty, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use severity in a sentence

FEEDBACK