austerity
austerity Lexical Profile
austerity Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Difficult economic conditions created by government policies aimed at reducing public spending and budget deficits.
"Years of strict government austerity led to widespread cuts in public healthcare and education."
Sternness or severity of manner, attitude, or moral discipline.
"The headmaster was known for his strict austerity and unwavering adherence to school rules."
Extreme plainness and simplicity of style or appearance, without any unnecessary ornamentation.
"The monastery's architecture was marked by a stark austerity that encouraged quiet contemplation."
• Rhymes for austerity
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French austerite, from Latin austeritas, ultimately derived from Ancient Greek austēros ('dry, harsh, severe'), which originally described a dry or astringent taste on the tongue.