What does “austere” mean?
- 1
adjectivevery plain and simple, without decoration or comfort
The monks lived in small, austere rooms.
- 2
adjectivestrict and serious in manner, not friendly or warm
Her father was an austere, silent man.
- 3
adjectiveinvolving very little spending or luxury
The country went through an austere period after the war.
Austere at a glance
- Part of speech
- adjective
- CEFR level
- C1 (advanced)
- Pronunciation
- /ɔˈstɪr/ · aw-STEER
How to use “austere” correctly
The noun “austerity” is common in economics news for government spending cuts: “austerity measures”.
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- plain
- severe
- stern
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
- luxurious
- ornate
Word family
- austerely
- austerity
“austere” is on these word lists
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