Vocabulary
Austere meaning: strict, plain, and simple
One adjective can describe a teacher who seems severe, a room with almost nothing in it, or a life with very few comforts. That adjective is austere.
Use austere for a strict person, a plain appearance, or living conditions with few comforts.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
austere /ɔːˈstɪə/
The short answer
Austere can mean strict and serious, very plain, or lacking ordinary comforts.
The cabin was austere, with a table, two chairs, and no heating.
Why it works: Austere describes a place with very little comfort or decoration.
3 more examples
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The new principal had an austere manner and rarely smiled during meetings.
The principal seems strict and not very warm.
Not this:The new principal had
a cheerful mannerand often smiled during meetings. What changes: Cheerful gives the opposite impression. It does not suggest strictness or severity. -
The gallery used an austere white room to keep attention on the paintings.
The room is deliberately plain, with little decoration.
Not this:The gallery used
an ornate white roomto keep attention on the paintings. What changes: Ornate means richly decorated, so it changes the description completely. -
During the expedition, the team accepted austere conditions and slept in small tents.
The team had few comforts while they traveled.
Not this:During the expedition, the team accepted
luxurious conditionsand slept in small tents. What changes: Luxurious describes great comfort. Austere suggests the opposite.
Read the full guide
Start with the noun. An austere manager may seem strict. An austere room looks plain. Austere conditions are hard because they offer few comforts.
Find the sense from the noun
Austere has more than one use, but the uses share the idea of little softness, comfort, or decoration. Read the noun after it before choosing the meaning.
The judge's austere expression made the room feel quiet.
Describe a strict person
An austere person looks or behaves in a strict, serious way. The word can suggest that the person is not easy to approach, so choose it carefully.
Her austere voice made the staff listen closely.
Describe plain places and hard conditions
Use austere for a room, building, or style with almost no decoration. Use it for conditions or a way of life when people have few comforts, such as warmth, space, or extra food.
They chose an austere apartment with bare walls and basic furniture.
Say austere clearly
The stress is in the middle: aw-STEER. Keep the first part short, then make the second part clear.
The austere hall had no pictures on the walls.
Choose the word in context
A hotel room has polished wood, thick curtains, and a large bath. Is austere a good description?
No. Those details suggest comfort and decoration. Austere would fit a plain room with very little in it.
Before you go
Remember this
Use austere for strict people, plain surroundings, and conditions with few comforts. Check the noun beside it to find the intended sense.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Austere meaning: strict, plain, and simple"
What does austere mean?
Austere can describe someone strict and serious, a place that is very plain, or conditions with few comforts.
The new principal had an austere manner and rarely smiled during meetings.
Can austere describe a person?
Yes. An austere person may seem strict, serious, or not very warm. It often describes a manner, expression, voice, or appearance.
The new principal had a cheerful manner and often smiled during meetings.
Can austere describe a room or building?
Yes. An austere room or building has little decoration and a plain appearance. People may use the word approvingly when that simple style is intentional.
The gallery used an austere white room to keep attention on the paintings.
What are austere conditions?
Austere conditions are difficult and offer few comforts. People may have only basic food, warmth, space, or equipment.
The gallery used an ornate white room to keep attention on the paintings.
How do you pronounce austere?
Say aw-STEER. The stress falls on the second syllable. Use the lesson examples to choose the meaning and sentence pattern that fit your context.
During the expedition, the team accepted austere conditions and slept in small tents.
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