What does severe mean?
Word: Severe
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Severe means very bad or serious, like a severe storm; it can also mean very strict.
Synonyms: serious, harsh, strict
Antonyms: gentle
How do you spell severe?
Syllables: se - vere
Tricky part: Every vowel in severe is e, even the first one, which can sound a little like i. The last e is silent.
Watch out for: sevear, seveer, sivere
Memory tip: Severe uses no vowel but e: three of them, and the last one stays silent.
Severe in a sentence
Example 1: The severe heat in May kept everyone indoors in the afternoon.
Example 2: The severe cold in January made us wear two sweaters to school.
Example 3: Our new coach looks severe, but she is kind once you know her.
Fun Fact
Weather services grade winds by speed; on the Beaufort scale, force 9 is called a severe gale.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
severe
a) mild
b) extreme
c) intense
d) grave
Show answer
a) mild. A severe winter is the reverse of a mild one; intense, extreme and grave all point the same way as severe.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
severre
a) e
b) v
c) s
d) r
Show answer
d) r. Severe has a single r before its silent e.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) temperature
b) severe
c) humidity
d) drizzel
Show answer
d) drizzel. Drizzle ends in -le; severe, temperature and humidity are all spelt right.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
evesre
a) severe
b) serve
c) sever
d) reverse
Show answer
a) severe. Sever and serve each leave one e unused, and reverse needs a second r; severe takes all six letters.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which weather report sounds severe?
a) A cool breeze will blow near the coast.
b) Strong winds may bring down trees tonight.
c) Tomorrow will be pleasant and sunny.
d) Light showers are likely this evening.
Show answer
b) Strong winds may bring down trees tonight.
2. Which teacher would you call severe?
a) one who jokes with the class
b) one who plays games with us
c) one who never lets anyone talk in class
d) one who tells funny stories
Show answer
c) one who never lets anyone talk in class
