Word
austerity
Phoneticsaus·ter·i·ty, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɔˈstɛɹɪti/
UK/ɔːstˈɛɹɪti/
Definitions
01economic policy
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Economics
n. a situation where a government reduces the amount of money it spends to try and cut its debt.
n. a state of reduced public spending and increased taxation aimed at reducing a government's budget deficit.
“The government introduced a period of austerity to pay off the country's large debts.”
“Following the financial crisis, several nations implemented strict austerity measures that resulted in significant cuts to public services and infrastructure projects.”
Synonyms
02strict lifestyle
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. a simple and plain way of living with no luxuries or comforts.
n. severity of manner or life; the practice of extreme self-discipline and the avoidance of all forms of indulgence.
“The monks lived a life of austerity, eating only simple food and sleeping on the floor.”
“The austerity of his daily routine was a shock to his colleagues, who were accustomed to a much more comfortable lifestyle.”
Antonyms
03plainness of style
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. a very plain or simple appearance without any decoration.
n. the quality of being plain and unadorned in style or design.
“I like the austerity of the building's design, with its straight lines and grey concrete.”
“The architect was famous for the visual austerity of his work, refusing to add any decorative elements that did not serve a functional purpose.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Buenos Aires for the ‘March of Anger’, organised largely by left-wing groups opposing the Milei government’s austerity policies.” “The number of young people with no close friends has risen fivefold since 2014 as a result of growing up in a “bleak world” dominated by austerity, the pandemic and social media.” Etymology
From Ancient Greek αὐστηρότης (austērótēs, “bitter, harsh”). Morphologically austere + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/austerity