English Reference
Adjective

austere

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ɔˈstɪɹ/ UK /ɔːstˈiə/ aus·tere

adj.simple, plain, and not decorated. It can also describe a person who lives a very strict and serious life without many comforts.

adj.characterised by simplicity, plainness, and a lack of ornamentation; also describes a lifestyle or person marked by strictness and a lack of indulgence.


SIMPLE

The room has an austere, modern look with no extra furniture.

CONTEXTUAL

The monk lived an austere life, spending most of his time in silent prayer and manual labor.

COMPLEX

The architect designed the library with an austere aesthetic, using raw concrete and steel to create a space that felt both functional and deeply contemplative.

Usage austere conditions

There sits the studio, an austere black cube jutting into the countryside, guarded by a giant sculpture of a gorilla.

BBC News· 1 Sept 2026

Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia grew up under surprisingly austere conditions imposed by their Victorian-minded mother.

Smithsonian Magazine· 16 Jul 2026

From Ancient Greek αὐστηρός (austērós, “bitter, harsh, astringent”), having the specific meaning “making the tongue dry” (originally used of fruits, wines), related to αὔω (aúō, “to singe”), αὖος (aûos, “dry”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated