# austere

/ɔˈstɪɹ/ (US) · /ɔːstˈiə/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/austere
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

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

For teachers: 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.