severe /siˈviə/ adj. 1.严重的：relieve severe food shortage 缓解严重的食品短缺；recover from a severe illness大病初愈；a severe punishment 重罚，严惩 2.严厉的，严格的：be severe on one’s child 严格要求孩子；be severe with oneself 严于律己 3.严峻的，艰难的：a severe competition 激烈的竞争；the severe winter 严冬，酷寒