monastic
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to monasteries.
a monastic library.
-
of, relating to, or characteristic of monks or nuns, their manner of life, or their religious obligations.
monastic vows.
-
of, relating to, or characteristic of a secluded, dedicated, or austere manner of living.
noun
adjective
-
of or relating to monasteries or monks, nuns, etc
-
resembling this sort of life; reclusive
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of monastic
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English monastik, from Middle French monastique or directly from Late Latin monasticus, from Late Greek monastikós, equivalent to monas- (derivative of monázein “to be alone, live alone”) + -ikos adjective suffix, with -t- by analogy with derivatives of agent nouns in -tēs; see mon-, -ic: cf. athlete)
Explanation
Monastic means like in a monastery. So what is it like in a monastery? Well, it's solitary, somewhat isolated, plain, and disciplined. If you take monastic vows, you promise to live this way. Being monastic might sound like a strange or a hard thing to be, but you can compare it to student life very well. Both monks and students spend a lot of time studying books. Monks like quiet, and students need quiet to get work done. Monks live in a community devoted to religion, and students study in a community devoted to learning. The stereotypical party lifestyle of a student isn't very monastic though.
Vocabulary lists containing monastic
Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1
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As You Like It
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Content Summary 2.2: South Asian States and Dharmic Religions
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Buddhism-themed tourism is thriving and tens of thousands of locals and foreigners sign up every year for "temple stay" retreats where they eat simple monastic food, do chores and meditate.
From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026
“We were supposed to live uncomfortable lives. And I was sort of monastic about it.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2026
In 2022, after years of monastic refusal—I already know I need to move more!
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 29, 2026
“We continue discerning with our Order where to live our Cistercian monastic life, keeping you informed as this process unfolds,” they said.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 24, 2026
There were two beds separated by a monastic partition.
From "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway
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.
