severe looking

USAGE SUMMARY

"severe looking" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It describes someone or something that appears stern, serious, or strict in appearance. Example: The principal had a severe looking face, but when she smiled, her entire demeanor softened.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

After giving his par putt a severe looking over, Woods eventually rolls it in.

The Guardian - Sport

Sunil Gulati of the US soccer federation wearing some severe looking sunglasses as he shakes hands with the players.

The Guardian - Sport

It's pretty severe looking, like an African savanna, just a few inches lower in elevation than the green mangroves, and this creates such a different landscape.

The New York Times - Travel

He gave a hint of that on Thursday with floor-sweeping dresses in white cotton to which he had added a rather severe looking cutaway shirt.

The New York Times

He's 48 and is not nearly as severe looking as one might expect of a ship captain, although he insists that he can be mean when the situation warrants.

The New York Times - Arts

"We saw that his finger fell off and we saw a severe looking ulcer and sores on his thigh and it did really fit the picture of krokodil," Doctor Dany Thekkemuriyil told KTVI.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

At first, I thought guiltily that I had been exaggerating in those reports: Severe looked like any other African town; markets, metalworkers on the roadside, mobile phone shops everywhere.

BBC

I considered taking home a RuPaul dinner set, but my appetite was satiated off all the severe looks the drag queens were serving.

Vice

He was tall and huge, and his bushy eyebrows and wide nose gave him a very severe look.

The Guardian - Books

The severe look on his coupon, despite the stellar nature of that shot, suggests he knows the exact answer.

The Guardian - Sport

She had the severe look that some women have when they think their time is running out.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's appearance, use "severe looking" to convey a sense of strictness, seriousness, or disapproval. Consider the context to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "severe looking" in contexts where a less intense description would suffice. In casual settings, consider using words like "serious", "intense", or "focused" instead, as "severe looking" can sometimes sound overly critical or negative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe looking" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing the appearance of someone or something. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in depicting a stern or strict demeanor.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "severe looking" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe a stern, serious, or strict appearance. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that while not extremely common, the phrase appears consistently in news media, scientific publications, and wiki articles. The phrase is considered neutral in register and is used to convey a sense of seriousness or disapproval through visual description. Alternative phrases such as "stern looking" or "harsh looking" offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stern looking

Replaces "severe" with "stern", emphasizing a serious and uncompromising appearance.

harsh looking

Substitutes "severe" with "harsh", suggesting a rugged or unforgiving appearance.

grim looking

Uses "grim" instead of "severe", highlighting a somber or forbidding expression.

forbidding looking

Replaces "severe" with "forbidding", emphasizing an appearance that discourages approach.

austere looking

Substitutes "severe" with "austere", suggesting a plain and strict appearance.

strict looking

Uses "strict" instead of "severe", focusing on an appearance of discipline or control.

uncompromising looking

Replaces "severe" with "uncompromising", highlighting an appearance of firmness and determination.

intense looking

Substitutes "severe" with "intense", suggesting a focused and powerful appearance.

sharp featured

Shifts focus from general appearance to specific facial features, emphasizing a defined and perhaps critical look.

hard faced

Uses "hard faced" instead of "severe looking", focusing on a tough or unyielding expression.

FAQs

How can I use "severe looking" in a sentence?

You can use "severe looking" to describe someone or something that appears stern, serious, or strict. For example, "The professor had a "severe looking" expression that made students hesitant to ask questions."

What can I say instead of "severe looking"?

You can use alternatives like "stern looking", "harsh looking", or "austere looking" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "severe looking" or "severely looking"?

"Severe looking" is the correct adjectival phrase. "Severely looking" is grammatically incorrect in this context, as "severely" is an adverb and doesn't modify a noun in the same way.

What's the difference between "severe looking" and "serious looking"?

"Severe looking" implies a stricter, more stern appearance, while "serious looking" simply suggests a thoughtful or concerned appearance. "Severe" carries a stronger connotation of disapproval or strictness.