austerity

American  

[aw-ster-i-tee] / ɔˈstɛr ɪ ti /

noun

plural

austerities

1. austere quality; severity of manner, life, etc.; sternness.

   Synonyms:

   rigor, asceticism, strictness, harshness

   Antonyms:

   leniency

2. Usually austerities. ascetic practices.

   austerities of monastery life.

3. harsh economic policies, as increased taxes or decreased funding for social services, usually adopted in response to government debt or deficits (often used attributively): The legislature tried to reduce the budget deficit with austerity measures that raised the retirement age and cut pension benefits.

   Economic growth slowed under austerity.

   The legislature tried to reduce the budget deficit with austerity measures that raised the retirement age and cut pension benefits.

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austerity British  

/ ɒˈstɛrɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being austere

2. (often plural) an austere habit, practice, or act

3. 1. reduced availability of luxuries and consumer goods, esp when brought about by government policy

   2. ( as modifier )

      an austerity budget

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Usage

What does austerity mean? Austerity means sternness, severity, or a state of extreme self-discipline or minimalistic living. Austerity is the noun form of the adjective austere, which most commonly means extremely stern or strict or without any frills or luxuries. The word is often used in the context of a national economy in which services and access to certain goods have been scaled back by the government during times of economic crisis. This sense is especially seen in the phrase austerity measures.  The term is sometimes used in its plural form to refer to ascetic practices, like living in a monastery—think of a monk who lives in a bedroom with only a metal cot and eats plain rice every day. Example: The government has turned to austerity to help curb the rising debt.

Related Words

See hardship.

Etymology

Origin of austerity

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English austerite , from Anglo-French, Old French austerite , from Latin austēritās; see austere, -ity

Explanation

If you've ever had a teacher who was particularly stern and strict, you might have (quietly) remarked on his austerity. When you're talking about the character of a person, austerity means "sternness and severity." Austerity's original meaning, taken from the Greek word austeros, was "bitter or harsh taste." While it's rarely used that way anymore, it's still a great description of the word's current meanings. As well as describing a personal quality of sternness, it also means "a simple, plain manner" and "an extreme frugality." So you could talk about the austerity of a very plainly decorated room or the austerity you're forced to live with ever since your parents stopped giving you a weekly allowance. If your lack of money had a taste, it might very well be "bitter or harsh."

Example Sentences

Austerity is rarely popular, so Milei must persuade voters of its necessity before they feel its benefits—a task that depends heavily on maintaining public trust in his government.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Austerity measures are a bitter pill to swallow for people who are going hungry and walking or biking to work because they cannot buy fuel.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 1, 2022

Austerity measures in Greece after its financial collapse in 2009 led to a 30 percent increase in the illegal trade of classical antiquities, as fewer people were employed to protect museums and archaeological sites.

From Washington Post • Mar. 30, 2020

Austerity measures were imposed in the name of eliminating budget deficits, and last year Britain finally produced a modest budget surplus.

From New York Times • May 28, 2018

Austerity was a choice, for there were always those who shunned the plenty of the post-mortal world.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• prudence
• self-discipline