austere

[ aw-steer ]

/ ɔˈstɪər /

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See synonyms for austere on Thesaurus.com

adjective

severe in manner or appearance; uncompromising; strict; forbidding: an austere teacher.

rigorously self-disciplined and severely moral; ascetic; abstinent: the austere quality of life in the convent.

grave; sober; solemn; serious: an austere manner.

without excess, luxury, or ease; simple; limited; severe: an austere life.

severely simple; without ornament: austere writing.

rough to the taste; sour or harsh in flavor.

OPPOSITES FOR austere

4 luxurious, comfortable, lush; sybaritic.

See antonyms for austere on Thesaurus.com

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of austere

1300–50; Middle English (<Anglo-French ) <Latin austērus<Greek austērós harsh, rough, bitter

synonym study for austere

4. Austere, bleak, spartan, stark all suggest lack of ornament or adornment and of a feeling of comfort or warmth. Austere usually implies a purposeful avoidance of luxury or ease: simple, stripped-down, austere surroundings. Bleak adds a sense of forbidding coldness, hopelessness, depression: a bleak, dreary, windswept plain. Spartan, somewhat more forceful than austere, implies stern discipline and rigorous, even harsh, avoidance of all that is not strictly functional: a life of Spartan simplicity. Stark shares with bleak a sense of grimness and desolation: the stark cliff face.

OTHER WORDS FROM austere

aus·tere·ly, adverbaus·tere·ness, nounun·aus·tere, adjectiveun·aus·tere·ly, adverb

Words nearby austere

austenitic, austenitic stainless steel, austenitize, Austen, Jane, Auster, austere, austerity, Austerlitz, Austin, Austin friar, austr-

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT AUSTERE

What does austere mean?

Austere most commonly means extremely stern or strict or without any frills or luxuries.

Things that are described as austere are serious, harsh, or severely simple.

The word is especially used to describe a state of extreme self-discipline or minimalistic living, such as the austere conditions in a monastery. Think of a monk who lives in a bedroom with only a metal cot and eats plain rice every day—that’s an austere lifestyle.

The noun form of austere is austerity—the state of being austere.

Example: You can’t expect people to cope with such austere conditions—they need more than the bare necessities.

Where does austere come from?

The first records of the word austere come from around the late 1300s. It comes from the Greek austērós, meaning “harsh, rough, bitter.”

Austere is often applied to harsh, rough, and severely simple conditions. Sometimes, people seek out austere conditions on purpose. Such conditions in a monastery are typically intended to help those who live there focus on the spiritual aspect of life without being distracted by anything that’s considered frivolous.

In many cases, though, austerity is not by choice. People forced to live in austere conditions must get along without any luxuries and often without some things that other people considered necessities. Austerity measures implemented by governments often involve cutting everything from the budget that’s not absolutely essential, leaving citizens to live in extremely austere conditions.

A person who’s described as austere is extremely serious and perhaps stern—think of the expressions on the farmers depicted in the painting American Gothic. A style of art, such as architecture, might be described as austere if it’s extremely simple, with no ornamentation.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to austere?

austerity (noun)
austerely (adverb)
austereness (noun)
unaustere (adjective)
unausterely (adverb)

What are some synonyms for austere?

What are some words that often get used in discussing austere?

How is austere used in real life?

The word austere can be used in all kinds of contexts. It’s often used to describe a minimalistic lifestyle or a stern person’s personality.

I live an extremely austere life lol. In that I actually do practice what I preach. Less clutter, more time, etc.

It's difficult on a number of levels but doable & spiritually/psychologically rewarding.

— Erik (@erikmullen08) May 27, 2019

Those that often call for austere conditions in prisons are those who do not have family or friends in one, or simply don't have a clue

— Steve Robertson (@HMPGovernor) February 22, 2017

I love what an about-face this is from Astral Weeks. They’re both totally Van Morrison records, but Astral Weeks is so austere and considered, and Moondance feels so loose and chilled out

— AK Lingus In Cartoon Form (@aklingus) October 1, 2018

Try using austere!

Which of the following words is MOST likely to be associated with something considered austere?

A. luxury
B. convenience
C. abundance
D. simplicity

How to use austere in a sentence

Quirky boom-and-bust mining towns, austere desert scenery, and the wooded mountains of the Gila National Forest are all part of this byway that loops through the varied terrain of southern New Mexico.
The Mountain States’ Most Epic Drives|kklein|August 8, 2021|Outside Online
In some ways, the Olympics that Japan is hosting now will have the feel of the 1948 Games — austere, but for obviously different reasons.
Three years after WWII ended, Japan was still technically an enemy — and banned from the London Games|Michael Rosenwald|July 23, 2021|Washington Post
Perhaps unsurprisingly, much of that resistance came from within the dance world itself, and had more to do with breaking those austere traditions than with the politics of LGBTQ activism.
Legendary dance troupe takes spotlight in ‘Ballerina Boys’ doc|John Paul King|June 2, 2021|Washington Blade
There are austere pieces, notably Amy Finkelstein’s photo of a striking abstract collage.
In the galleries: Images focus on the future of the planet|Mark Jenkins|May 28, 2021|Washington Post

The tension between austere geometric forms and random natural shapes has long been central to the artist’s style.
In the galleries: Images focus on the future of the planet|Mark Jenkins|May 28, 2021|Washington Post
The cells are austere—essentially hardened trailers—that cost about $40,000 each to build.
9/11 Mastermind Is Afraid of the Ladies|Tim Mak|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The site is not unlike North Korea itself: austere and more than a little bit dated-looking.
North Korea's Top College: Brainwash U|Justin Rohrlich|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Multi-story hotel towers stand stripped of any ornamentation, and seem almost Soviet in their austere and honest decay.
The Ghost Hotels of the Catskills|Brandon Presser|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“It looks spare and austere, but we spent 1,000 hours creating these,” Snoeren said.
Viktor & Rolf’s Return to Couture for Fall 2013: Going Zen|Liza Foreman|July 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The designs were meant to be “stark” and “austere,” the designers said, and there were no straight seams in the creations.
Viktor & Rolf’s Return to Couture for Fall 2013: Going Zen|Liza Foreman|July 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The sedateness of his deportment and the apparent regularity of his life delighted austere moralists.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Madame Torvestad, with an austere and imperious aspect, sat in her place; many gazed at her, but she maintained her composure.
Skipper Worse|Alexander Lange Kielland
Hence those great devotions, those austere retreats from the world, of which some of them have given an example.
Camille (La Dame aux Camilias)|Alexandre Dumas, fils
These are the followers of Levana, the austere goddess who takes up the new-born babe and perfects it by sorrow.
Charles Baudelaire, His Life|Thophile Gautier
This type became more and more rigid and austere as the gathering shadows of the Dark Ages mantled on the minds of men.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow

British Dictionary definitions for austere

austere

/ (ɒˈstɪə) /

adjective

stern or severe in attitude or manneran austere schoolmaster

grave, sober, or seriousan austere expression

self-disciplined, abstemious, or ascetican austere life

severely simple or plainan austere design

Derived forms of austere

austerely, adverbaustereness, noun

Word Origin for austere

C14: from Old French austère, from Latin austērus sour, from Greek austēros astringent; related to Greek hauein to dry

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

austere

OPPOSITES FOR austere

Origin of austere

synonym study for austere

OTHER WORDS FROM austere

Words nearby austere

MORE ABOUT AUSTERE

What does austere mean?

Where does austere come from?

Did you know ... ?

How is austere used in real life?

Try using austere!

Words related to austere

How to use austere in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for austere

Derived forms of austere

Word Origin for austere