severely
Americanadverb
-
in a very stern, strict, or harsh way.
One day he was caught taking a few pieces of scrap wood and was severely punished with two weeks of hard labor.
-
to a grave, far-reaching, or critical degree; seriously.
Severely ill patients with kidney infections may be hospitalized until they can take fluids and medications on their own.
-
in a very simple, plain, or austere style or manner.
She wore her hair severely tied back in a ponytail and refused to wear anything feminine.
-
in a very challenging or exacting way that is difficult to endure.
The Great Depression severely tested the parish, as the church building was almost lost to creditors.
-
to a distressing or highly uncomfortable degree.
Much of North America experiences periods of severely cold weather and is susceptible to snow and ice storms.
Other Word Forms
- overseverely adverb
- superseverely adverb
- unseverely adverb
Etymology
Origin of severely
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 conflict could certainly severely disrupt global oil supplies and send barrel prices soaring to a level not seen in years.
From Barron's
But it has not been able to independently verify the death toll - international news organisations are often refused visas to Iran which severely limits their ability to gather information there.
From BBC
The BBC has not been able to independently verify this - international news organisations are often refused visas to Iran which severely limits their ability to gather information about what's going on inside the country.
From BBC
Formally known as CM2502, Porkchop got her nickname when she chowed down shortly after losing her front right flipper, which was severely constricted by fishing line.
From Los Angeles Times
Dan told the BBC the monitoring and caring for a severely disabled child meant neither he or his partner got much sleep, were exhausted and also had two other children to care for.
From BBC
Definitions 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.
