sever
SEH-ver
/ˈsɛvər/
To put an end to a connection or relationship suddenly and completely.
Implies a clean, sharp, and often permanent break, much like cutting a rope.
The story behind the word. Coming from the Old French 'sevrer', which originally meant to wean a child from its mother, 'sever' eventually evolved to describe any sharp, definitive separation. It shares a distant cousin in the word 'separate'.
Word relationships
- terminate: Terminate is more administrative; sever is more physical or emotional.
- disconnect: Disconnect is milder and often used for technology; sever is more forceful.
- unite: Unite brings things together, while sever cuts them apart.
- join: Join is the simple act of connecting; sever is the act of breaking.
Commonly confused with
- severe: Severe is an adjective meaning harsh; sever is a verb meaning to cut.
Word family
- severance (noun): The act of ending a connection, often used regarding employment pay.
Collocations
- sever ties
- sever a connection
- sever a relationship
Idioms & expressions
- sever the umbilical cord
Example sentences
- "She decided to sever all ties with her former partner to ensure a fresh start." Describing a total break in communication.
- "The two nations chose to sever diplomatic relations following the border dispute." A historical reference to diplomatic relations.
Memory hook
Think of a 'severe' cut that 'severs' the connection. Sever = SEVerely cut.
When not to use
Avoid using for temporary breaks or casual pauses; it suggests a finality that is hard to undo.
Fun facts
- In legal terms, 'severance' often refers to the pay given to an employee when their contract is cut.
Explore more words
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.