Austere
Think monasteries, winter offices with no decoration, and budgets with no room for comfort spending, all described with the same spare brushstroke.
Learn This WordMeaning
Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance; having no comforts or luxuries.
Memory trick
Think "AUS-TERE" = "AUSTRALIA TERRAIN", harsh, dry, severe like the outback. Austere means harsh and simple.
Examples
The monastery had an austere interior with bare walls and simple furniture.
His austere lifestyle included minimal possessions and simple meals.
The judge had an austere demeanor that commanded respect in the courtroom.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Greek austeros "harsh, rough, bitter," from auein "to dry."
Usage Notes
Can describe physical environments, lifestyles, or personal demeanor. Often implies discipline or self-denial.
Real-life contexts
Describe environments: "The room had an austere beauty."
Use for lifestyles: "He lives an austere life with few possessions."
Describe demeanor: "The judge had an austere presence."
Common Mistakes
Austere doesn't always mean unpleasant, it can describe elegant simplicity.
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Start LearningQuick Facts
Part of Speech
adjective
Difficulty
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