(1)(指坏事或令人不快的事)严重的，恶劣的，困难的((of sth bad or unpleasant) serious;difficult;extreme)：a～storm/attack/headache/illness/cold 猛烈的暴风雨/猛烈的进攻/剧烈的头痛/重病/重感冒;～pains/injuries/shortages of food 剧痛/重伤/食品的严重短缺;suffer a～defeat 遭到严重的失败;cause a～damage 造成严重的破坏;〖同〗intense，fierce，extreme;〖反〗gentle，mild;easy，pleasant;

(2)严厉(严格)的，苛刻的(very serious or grave in manner;strict or harsh in discipline)[A(on/with)]：a～look/manner/punishment/criticism/father/critic 严厉的样子/态度/惩罚/批评/父亲/批评家;a～measure/law严格的措施/法律;～military rules 严格的军事纪律;My teacher becomes～when I am late. 我迟到时老师对我很严厉。I think you are too～with the boy. 我认为你对那男孩子太严了。(judge) be～on the thief(法官)对小偷很严厉;〖同〗serious，stern;〖反〗mild;

(3)艰难的，严峻的，需要付出努力的(very difficult to do;needing effort)：a～test(of ability)/competition (for a position)(对能力的)严峻考验/(对一职位的)激烈的竞争;(pace) be too～to maintain for long(步子)太快很难持久;

(4)(指风格、外貌、服饰等)简单朴素的，无装饰的((of style，appearance，clothing，etc)plain;without ornament)：a～design/style 简朴的图案/质朴的文体;She had a～hair-cut like a boy's. 她剪了一个男孩子那样的简单发型。That plain black dress is too～to be worn anywhere but to a funeral. 那件黑衣服太素了，除了参加葬礼外在什么场合穿都不合适。the～beauty of a simple church building 简单的教堂建筑那朴实无华的美;〖同〗restrained，plain，simple;〖反〗cheerful，decorative;

→se′verely adv 严重地，恶劣地，困难地;严厉(格)地;简朴地;se′verity n 严重;严厉，苛刻;剧烈;朴素