Adverb
1. to a severe or serious degree;
"fingers so badly frozen they had to be amputated""badly injured""a severely impaired heart""is gravely ill""was seriously ill"2. with sternness; in a severe manner;
"`No,' she said sternly""peered severely over her glasses"3. causing great damage or hardship;
"industries hit hard by the depression""she was severely affected by the bank's failure"