Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

severance

/ˈsɛv.ɚ.əns/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.16 in modern English

Syllables: sev-er-ance
IPA: /ˈsɛv.ɚ.əns/

14

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The act of severing or the state of being severed.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A severance payment.

Countable; Uncountable

name

Example Sentences

"Meta will notify employees who are being laid off on May 20, and will provide severance packages for those in the United States that include “16 weeks of base pay plus two weeks for every year of employment,” according to the memo to workers."

Etymology

From sever + -ance, from Middle English severaunce, from Anglo-Norman, Old French sevrance, from sevrer.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: severaunce, -, sevrance
Suffix: sever

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈsɛv.ɚ.əns/
British English: /ˈsɛv.ɹəns/

Usage

Inflected Forms

severances (plural) severaunce (alternative)

Derived Forms

nonseverance

Phrases

severance tax

Synonyms

severing rupture breach break rift falling out

Rhymes With

reverence

Questions

How do you pronounce severance?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈsɛv.ɚ.əns/.
What does severance mean?: The act of severing or the state of being severed.
Where does severance come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce severance

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “severance”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈsɛv.ɚ.əns/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “severance”.
Repeat and practice — Say “severance” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.