French Conversation · Level 54
73 words
French word
sévère
Pronunciation
IPA/sevɛʁ/
Meaning
- adjectivestrict
Example
Les règles sont sévères dans cette école.
The rules are strict at this school.
More examples
Il a reçu une punition sévère pour son retard.
He received a severe punishment for being late.
Core concept
A firm gate that admits no exceptions and delivers a hard judgment.
Common phrases
être sévère
be strict
punition sévère
severe punishment
critique sévère
harsh criticism
Similar words
strict: Requiring strict obedience to rules, procedures, or schedules.
dur: Harsh in treatment and painful or difficult for those affected.
ferme: Firmly maintaining an attitude or decision without yielding.
rigide: Lacking flexibility and resisting change in response to circumstances.
Definition in French
Qui impose des exigences fortes ou exprime un jugement dur, applicable aux personnes, aux règles ou au ton.
Word origin
French sévère is a learned borrowing from Latin severus, meaning strict or serious, and it retains that sense in demands and judgments.
Usage tips
- Sévère has the same spelling and pronunciation in masculine and feminine forms, as in un professeur sévère and une règle sévère.
Other meanings
- harshadjective
Related words
- sévéritéseveritynoun
- sévèrementseverelyadverb