How to pronounce severity
Say it like sih-VER-ih-tee. Severity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VER).
- sih
- VER
- ih
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Severity pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- sihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- VERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of severity
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: suh-VER-ih-tee.
What does severity mean?
- used of the degree of something undesirable e.g. pain or weather
- something hard to endure“the asperity of northern winters”
- extreme plainness
Where does severity come from?
From Middle English severity, from Middle French severite (modern French sévérité), from Latin sevēritās.
Words that rhyme with severity
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of severity.
Questions about saying severity
How do you pronounce severity?
Say sih-VER-ih-tee. The American pronunciation is /sɪˈvɛrɪti/. In British English it is /səˈvɛrɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in severity?
Severity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VER). Broken into parts: sih · VER · ih · tee.
Is severity pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /səˈvɛrɪti/ (suh-VER-ih-tee).