firm, strict, or uncompromising.
stern discipline.
hard, harsh, or severe.
a stern reprimand.
rigorous or austere; of an unpleasantly serious character.
stern times.
grim or forbidding in aspect.
a stern face.
the after or rear part of a vessel (often opposed to bow orstem ).
The ship's stern was a glory of brightly painted carved figures of knights and mythical beasts.
the back or rear of anything.
Astronomy. Stern, the constellation Puppis.
Fox Hunting. the tail of a hound.
to be the person paddling, steering, working, etc., at the rear of (a vessel).
When you're bird-watching, it's much better to be paddling up front than sterning the canoe.
to propel or steer (a vessel) with the after or rear part leading.
We pulled up to the dock 15 minutes later and managed to stern in before dark.
Isaac, 1920–2001, U.S. violinist, born in Russia.
Otto, 1888–1969, U.S. physicist, born in Germany: Nobel Prize 1943.
showing uncompromising or inflexible resolve; firm, strict, or authoritarian
lacking leniency or clemency; harsh or severe
relentless; unyielding
the stern demands of parenthood
having an austere or forbidding appearance or nature
the rear or after part of a vessel, opposite the bow or stem
the rear part of any object
the tail of certain breeds of dog, such as the foxhound or beagle
Stern, severe, harsh agree in referring to methods, aspects, manners, or facial expressions. Stern implies uncompromising, inflexible firmness, and sometimes a hard, forbidding, or withdrawn aspect or nature: a stern parent. Severe implies strictness, lack of sympathy, and a tendency to impose a hard discipline on others: a severe judge. Harsh suggests a great severity and roughness, and cruel, unfeeling treatment of others: a harsh critic.
First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English styrne
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English sterne, probably from Old Norse stjōrn “steering” ( see sternpost)
You know when you've done something really wrong, and the person who gets you in trouble has that unforgiving look on his face? The best word for that look is stern, meaning "strict" or "severe." Stern, strict, severe, harsh, unforgiving — they all more or less mean the same thing, which is very tough and exacting, with a little helping of seriousness thrown in for good measure. What does this have to do with the stern of a boat, also known as the rear area? Um, nothing? But it's good to know about that meaning too, since it could come in handy some day when you're giving directions on a ship.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As nurses who have evidently seen this situation many times try to revive him, Reed’s seemingly placid song turns with a jolt to a stern warning: “You’re gonna reap just what you sow.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
"On May 4, two unidentified aircraft struck the outer plate of the port-side ballast tank at the stern of the HMM Namu at roughly one-minute intervals, causing flames and smoke," he said.
From Barron's • May 10, 2026
As she handed over the decks to DJ Shaw, Landry’s stern visage eased into a blissful smile.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
"Bolivia will provide us with a feel for South American opposition, and will no doubt give us a stern test as they recover from the disappointment of defeat in the World Cup play-offs."
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
“Delia, Velia,” Papá’s tone of voice was downright stern.
From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
