stern
1[ sturn ]
/ stɜrn /
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adjective, stern·er, stern·est.
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.
OTHER WORDS FOR stern
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Origin of stern
1First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English styrne
synonym study for stern
1, 2. 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 Stern implies uncompromising, inflexible firmness, and sometimes a hard, forbidding, or withdrawn aspect or nature: a stern parent.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.
OTHER WORDS FROM stern
stern·ly, adverbstern·ness, nounOther definitions for stern (2 of 4)
stern2
[ sturn ]
/ stɜrn /
noun
the after part of a vessel (often opposed to stem).
the back or rear of anything.
(initial capital letter)Astronomy. the constellation Puppis.
Fox Hunting. the tail of a hound.
Origin of stern
2Other definitions for stern (3 of 4)
Stern
[ sturn ]
/ stɜrn /
noun
Isaac, 1920–2001, U.S. violinist, born in Russia.
Otto, 1888–1969, U.S. physicist, born in Germany: Nobel prize 1943.
Other definitions for stern (4 of 4)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use stern in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for stern (1 of 3)
stern1
/ (stɜːn) /
adjective
showing uncompromising or inflexible resolve; firm, strict, or authoritarian
lacking leniency or clemency; harsh or severe
relentless; unyieldingthe stern demands of parenthood
having an austere or forbidding appearance or nature
Derived forms of stern
sternly, adverbsternness, nounWord Origin for stern
Old English styrne; related to Old High German stornēn to alarm, Latin sternāx stubborn, Greek stereos hard
British Dictionary definitions for stern (2 of 3)
stern2
/ (stɜːn) /
noun
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
adjective
relating to or located at the stern
Word Origin for stern
C13: from Old Norse stjōrn steering; see steer 1
British Dictionary definitions for stern (3 of 3)
Stern
/ (stɜːn) /
noun
Isaac. 1920–2001, US concert violinist, born in (what is now) Ukraine
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Other Idioms and Phrases with stern
stern
see from soup to nuts (stem to stern).
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.