How to Pronounce Severe

To pronounce "severe", say SEV-er-e — 3 syllables, IPA /sɪˈvɪə/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

severe

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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Syllables

Letters

/sɪˈvɪə/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “severe”

"severe" has 3 syllables: sev-er-e. It rhymes with austere and sneer, if that helps it stick.

What does severe mean?

adjective

Very bad or intense.
Strict or harsh.
“a severe taskmaster”

Synonyms

brutal extreme hard harsh heavy intense rigorous serious

Antonyms

lenient mild minor

Hear “severe” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with severe

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

austere sneer jeer cavalier clear peer queer premier chevalier insincere adhere steer

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "severe"?▾

"Severe" has 3 syllables: sev · er · e.

What is the IPA transcription of "severe"?▾

The IPA transcription of "severe" is /sɪˈvɪə/.

What does "severe" mean?▾

Severe: Very bad or intense.

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