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Definition of austere

austere

/ɔːˈstɪər/
aus · tere
Adverb:austerely
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austere Lexical Profile

austere Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Severe, stern, or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance.

Example

"Beneath the headmaster's austere demeanor lay a genuine concern for his students' welfare."

2

Having no comforts, luxuries, or self-indulgence; marked by strict self-discipline and asceticism.

Example

"The monks followed an austere daily routine of silent prayer, manual labor, and simple meals."

3

Extremely plain and unadorned in style or design.

Example

"The gallery features an austere concrete facade with clean geometric lines and no decorative stonework."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for austere

• Nearby Words

auspices
auspiciously
aussie
austere
austerely
austerity
austin

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed via Old French from Latin austerus, which derives from the Ancient Greek austeros ('making the tongue dry, harsh, or severe'), from the verb auein ('to dry' or 'to wither').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Austere. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/austere
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