Word
austere
Phoneticsaus·tere, stress on the second syllable
US/ɔˈstɪɹ/
UK/ɔːstˈiə/
Formal
Definition
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.
Examples
“The room has an austere, modern look with no extra furniture.”
“The monk lived an austere life, spending most of his time in silent prayer and manual labor.”
“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.”
Examples
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.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “austere” in context.
Real-World Examples
“There sits the studio, an austere black cube jutting into the countryside, guarded by a giant sculpture of a gorilla.” “Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia grew up under surprisingly austere conditions imposed by their Victorian-minded mother.” Etymology
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.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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