Cryptic crossword clue
Severe judge imprisons learner …

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word BLEAK

I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
B
L
E
A
K

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Severe" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case severe = bleak.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does BLEAK mean?

BLEAK adjective
  1. Without color; pale; pallid.
  2. Desolate and exposed; swept by cold winds.
  3. Unhappy; cheerless; miserable; emotionally desolate.
BLEAK noun
  1. A small European river fish (Alburnus alburnus), of the family Cyprinidae.

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