severity
1
6.0
- noun
- /sɪˈvɪrɪti/
:
sobriedad
- She's handsome to the point of severity.
Examples
-
I like its severity.
-
Forty-three, with closely cropped salt-and-pepper hair that emphasized the severity of his angular face, Tremaine had a more commanding presence than Prue had anticipated.
Fiction book (2001) -
She folded her arms across her chest in mock severity.
Fiction book (1991) -
They were used to utilitarian names, names like James, Matthew, Paul, and John, apostolic in their severity.
Fiction book (2000) -
Short and slight of build, he spoke softly and amicably; his hair was as white as the snows of his native Yorkshire; and his wire-rimmed granny glasses provided the only note of severity in his otherwise gentle aspect.
Academic text (2000) -
The severity of the building's design reflected its function, emphasizing simplicity over decoration.
-
In art, severity often communicates a striking message through the absence of embellishments.
-
The severity of the landscape, with its stark cliffs and barren trees, created a haunting beauty.
Synonyms
10
2.7
Being plain and without decoration
6
4.2
Simple style that avoids too much decoration
1
3.5
Being simple and without decoration
1
4.2
A painting or surface with little shine and depth
1
5.1
A plain, dull appearance with no bright color or style
1
6.3
A very plain and empty appearance with little or no decoration
1
5.1
A plain, empty look with no decorations
A very plain, simple style with no decoration or luxury
A plain, simple style without decoration
A quality that is plain and without decoration
A quality of being simple and pure without decoration
Antonyms
How Plain
Surface Forms
Morphology
severity = severe (transparent) = severe + ity
Built from 'severe' (austere/plain) + '-ity' to denote the quality; learners can infer 'plainness' from this composition.
Etymology
The word severity comes from the old Latin word severus, 'serious' or 'plain', and the same root is in severe. So when we talk about the severity of a design or style, we mean a simple, stern look with little decoration.