austere
AdjectiveUS/ɔˈstɪr/2 syllables
Open English WordNet
Adjective (3)
- severely simple“a stark interior”Synonyms: severestarksternOpposite fancySimilar plain
- of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect“an austere expression”“a stern face”Synonyms: sternOpposite indulgentSimilar nonindulgent, strict
- practicing great self-denial“Be systematically ascetic … do … something for no other reason than that you would rather not do it — William James”“a desert nomad's austere life”“a spartan diet”“a spartan existence”Synonyms: asceticasceticalspartanOpposite gluttonousSimilar abstemious
Word of the day · Sep 28About this word
onerousadjective
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Aus·tere′ (…),
Origin: F. austère, L. austerus, fr. Gr. …, fr. … to parch, dry. Cf. Sear.
1. Sour and astringent; rough to the state; having acerbity; as, an austere crab apple; austere wine.
2. Severe in modes of judging, or living, or acting; rigid; rigorous; stern; as, an austere man, look, life.
From whom the austere Etrurian virtue rose.— John Dryden
3. Unadorned; unembellished; severely simple.
Synonyms: Harsh; sour; rough; rigid; stern; severe; rigorous; strict.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54