severe

grave, sévère

Très sérieux, douloureux ou difficile à supporter ou à gérer.

En anglais simple : Very serious, painful, or difficult to deal with.

• She has severe back pain.
• The storm caused severe damage.
• Several villages faced severe water shortages.

Synonymes : serious, bad, intense

Contraires : mild

Expressions courantes : severe pain, severe damage, severe weather

sévère, strict

Qui impose des règles très strictes et traite ou punit les gens durement.

En anglais simple : Very strict with people, often treating or punishing them harshly.

• Our teacher was severe with us.
• The judge gave him a severe look.
• Her parents were severe whenever she broke their rules.

Comment l'utiliser : severe with someone (He was severe with anyone who arrived late.)

Synonymes : strict, harsh, stern

Contraires : lenient

Expressions courantes : severe teacher, severe judge, severe with someone

austère, sobre

D’apparence très simple et sérieuse, avec peu de décoration.

En anglais simple : Very plain and serious in appearance, with little decoration.

• She wore a severe black dress.
• The building has severe lines.
• His severe hairstyle made him look older.

Synonymes : plain, austere

Contraires : ornate

Expressions courantes : severe hairstyle, severe dress, severe lines