ENGLISH
REFERENCE

spartan

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈspɑɹtən// UK //spˈɑːtən// spar·tan

adj. very simple and plain, with no comfort or decoration. You use this to describe a room or a way of living that only has the absolute basics.

adj. characterised by austerity, discipline, or a lack of luxury. Often describes living conditions or architectural styles that prioritise functional simplicity over comfort.


SIMPLE

His bedroom is very spartan, with only a bed and a desk.

CONTEXTUAL

The athletes lived in spartan conditions during their training camp to help them focus entirely on their performance.

COMPLEX

The monastery's spartan aesthetic reflects a commitment to spiritual discipline, eschewing any ornamentation that might distract the monks from their daily meditations.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English Spartan, Spertan, from Latin Spartānus, from Sparta + -ānus, equivalent to Sparta + -an.

Usage

Often used predicatively after 'be' or 'remain', or attributively to modify nouns like 'conditions', 'lifestyle', or 'surroundings'.

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