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Definition of severity noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

severity

noun
 
/sɪˈverəti/
 
/sɪˈverəti/
[uncountable]
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  1. the fact or condition of something being extremely bad or serious
    • A prison sentence should match the severity of the crime.
    • The chances of a full recovery will depend on the severity of her injuries.
    • the severity of the problem
  2. the fact of something, especially a punishment, being very strict or extreme synonym harshness (1)
    • The severity of the sentence surprised many people.
  3. the fact of not being kind and not showing sympathy or approval synonym sternness
    • He frowned with mock severity.
  4. the fact of being extremely difficult and requiring a lot of skill or ability synonym stiffness
    • The severity of the task ahead became apparent.
  5. (disapproving) the fact of being extremely plain and without any decoration
    • The elaborate facade contrasts strongly with the severity of the interior.
See severity in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
alloy
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Physics and chemistry
C2
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