1. Intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
   "severe pain"; "a severe case of flu";
   - terrible, wicked [informal]
    
2. Unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment
   "a parent severe to the pitch of hostility"; "a hefty six-footer with a rather severe mien";
   - spartan
    
3. Causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm
   "a severe case of pneumonia";
   - dangerous, grave, grievous, serious, life-threatening
    
4. Very strong or vigorous
   "a severe blow";
   - hard, knockout
    
5. Very plain, appearing grim and minimally functional
   "a severe interior";
   - austere, stark, stern

Derived forms: severest, severer

See also: critical, intense, nonindulgent, plain, strict, strong

Encyclopedia: Severe