SEVERE - When referring to a symptom such as pain, "severe" pain is very bad, very bothersome, abrupt in onset, and unable to be tolerated. A person suffering from severe pain cannot be distracted from experiencing the pain. On the classic 1-10 pain scale, severe pain scores range from 7 to 10. Severe symptoms or conditions are possibly life or limb threatening. Severe pain is likely to result in disability or increased illness if not relieved.