severe
gb/sɪvˈɪɹ/ us/sɪvˈɪɹ/
B1
English
~ 2000
halálos, súlyos, erős, heves, szigorú, puritán, puritánság, rideg, szigorú szabású, szigorúság
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is severe
The region experienced severe flooding after the storm.
A térséget a vihar után súlyos áradások sújtották.
She was taken to the hospital with severe chest pain.
Erős mellkasi fájdalommal kórházba szállították.
The company is facing severe financial difficulties.
Severe weather warnings were issued for the entire coast.
The accident caused severe damage to the bridge.
Learner examples
The storm brought severe rain.
A vihar heves esőt hozott.
He has severe back pain.
Erős hátfájása van.
We are in severe danger.
Severe cold can be dangerous.
She got a severe injury.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'severe' with 'several' because they look similar, but 'several' means 'more than two' and is unrelated in meaning.
Meaning
Very serious or intense
Collocations
severe pain
|severe weather
|severe damage
|severe punishment
|severe shortage
Synonyms
serious (Slightly less intense in tone; can be used for more general situations.)
|
extreme (Focuses on the highest possible degree, not just seriousness.)
Antonyms
mild (Describes something that is not strong or serious in effect.)
Themes
emotions
|health
|weather
|danger
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very serious or very strong in a way that can cause problems or harm.
Extremely serious, intense, or extreme in degree, often causing significant impact or harm.
B2
2
szigorú
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is severe with [someone/something]
The judge gave a severe sentence to the criminal.
A bíró szigorú ítéletet szabott ki a bűnözőre.
Her parents were severe with her about her grades.
A szülei szigorúak voltak vele a jegyei miatt.
The school has severe rules regarding attendance.
He is known for his severe leadership style.
Learner examples
My teacher is very severe.
A tanárom nagyon szigorú.
The law is severe here.
Itt szigorú a törvény.
Her father is severe with her.
The rules are severe in this school.
Common mistake:
Some learners overuse 'severe' for people when 'strict' is more common in everyday conversation.
Meaning
Strict or harsh
Collocations
severe teacher
|severe punishment
|severe rules
Synonyms
strict (Common everyday term; less formal and slightly less harsh.)
|
harsh (Implies cruelty or unnecessary severity.)
Antonyms
lenient (Allows more freedom and is less strict.)
Themes
education
|work
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very strict and not allowing much freedom or softness.
Strict and demanding in enforcing rules, discipline, or standards.
C1
3
Usage pattern:
[something] has a severe appearance/style/look
The room had a severe design with bare walls and no furniture.
A szoba puritán kialakítású volt, csupasz falakkal és bútorok nélkül.
She wore a severe black dress to the meeting.
Szigorú szabású fekete ruhát viselt a megbeszélésen.
His office is decorated in a severe modern style.
Learner examples
The house has a severe look.
A háznak puritán, rideg megjelenése van.
She wears a severe dress.
Szigorú szabású ruhát visel.
The room is severe and empty.
His style is severe.
Meaning
Plain or austere in style
Collocations
severe style
|severe dress
|severe design
Synonyms
austere (More formal; often used for moral or lifestyle simplicity.)
|
stark (Emphasizes emptiness or harsh simplicity.)
Antonyms
ornate (Richly decorated and detailed.)
Themes
design
|fashion
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Plain and simple without decoration or comfort.
Plain, simple, and lacking decoration, often giving an impression of seriousness or austerity.
Grammar
Dictionary form
severe
IPA
GB/sɪvˈɪɹ/
US/sɪvˈɪɹ/
Syllables & stress
severe (1 syllable)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: severe
- Comparative: severer
- Superlative: severest
Word family
Expressions
in severe pain
1/ˈɪn sɪvˈɪɹ pˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
Suffering from strong pain
Having very strong pain in the body.
Examples
- He was in severe pain after the accident.
- She woke up in severe pain and called the doctor.
severe case of [illness/problem]
1/sɪvˈɪɹ kˈeɪs əv ɪlnəsəpɹˈɑbəlm/
fixed phrase
Very serious example of something bad
A very bad example of an illness or problem.
Examples
- The patient has a severe case of pneumonia.
- It's a severe case of food poisoning.
severe weather warning
1/sɪvˈɪɹ wˈɛðɚ wˈɔɹnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Official alert for dangerous weather
A message from authorities that bad weather could be dangerous.
Examples
- A severe weather warning has been issued for the coastal areas.
- We stayed inside after hearing the severe weather warning on the radio.