Word
ascetic
Phoneticsas·cetic
US/əˈsɛtɪk/
UK/ɐsˈɛtɪk/
Countable noun
Definition
n. someone who lives a very simple life and avoids all kinds of pleasure. They often do this to focus on spiritual goals or to test their own willpower.
n. a person who practices self-discipline and self-denial, typically for religious or spiritual reasons. Often associated with the rejection of physical comforts and worldly possessions.
Examples
“The monk lived as an ascetic, eating only one meal a day.”
“After years of living in a luxury apartment, he decided to become an ascetic and moved into a small stone cell.”
“The philosopher argued that the ascetic lifestyle was not merely about suffering, but about achieving a profound clarity of mind through the systematic removal of sensory distractions.”
Examples
simple
“The monk lived as an ascetic, eating only one meal a day.”
contextual
“After years of living in a luxury apartment, he decided to become an ascetic and moved into a small stone cell.”
complex
“The philosopher argued that the ascetic lifestyle was not merely about suffering, but about achieving a profound clarity of mind through the systematic removal of sensory distractions.”
Real-World Examples
“Austere times demand an austere philosophy, so hygge’s frankly soft excesses are to be ditched in favour of the ascetic theory of lagom, a Swedish expression for “living with just enough”.” “Indeed, ‘self-suffering’ was Gandhi’s translation of the Sanskrit term tapas or tapasya , which more readily signals practices of ascetic self-mastery.” Etymology
First use appears c. 1646. From Medieval Latin asceticus, from Ancient Greek ἀσκητικός (askētikós), from ἀσκητής (askētḗs, “monk, hermit”), from ἀσκέω (askéō, “I exercise”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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