severity

American  

[suh-ver-i-tee] / səˈvɛr ɪ ti /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• nonseverity noun
• overseverity noun
• superseverity noun

Etymology

Origin of severity

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

Explanation

Severity is a plain, no-frills hardness––or the degree of hardness. You might talk about the severity of the northern winter, or the severity of your grandfather's discipline. Severity, with its root in severe, has several nuances. It can mean a hardship, like war’s severity. It also refers to an extreme plainness. Think of the severity of Amish life: no phones, cars, or other modern technology. And you might use it to describe your math teacher’s manner: his severity is indicated by his short, clipped sentences, angry stare, and propensity to fail students without mercy.

Example Sentences

Any rate increase will vary depending on the severity and expense of the claim.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

In the yearlong Phase 2b study, nearly 40% of patients who received Nektar’s treatment, rezpegaldesleukin, showed a 50% or better improvement in their severity of alopecia score, compared to 13.6% of placebo patients.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

The "speed and severity of climate change in the South East particularly has outstripped reasonable predictions", he said.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Despite the severity of Meatloaf’s injuries, Jaros described the turtle as being in generally good condition and otherwise healthy before she was entangled.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

I was haunted by the thought of Lola, the severity of that gaunt old painted face, her boldness of stride in the perilous high heels, her vitality, ducking into the Rolls.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• harshness