ascetic
gb/əsˈɛtɪk/ us/əsˈɛtɪk/
C1
English
~ 10000
aszketikus, aszkéta, puritán
C1
FORMAL
1
aszketikus
C1
Usage pattern:
an ascetic [lifestyle]
He adopted an ascetic lifestyle, giving up meat, alcohol, and most of his possessions.
Aszketikus életmódra tért át: lemondott a húsról, az alkoholról és vagyona nagy részéről.
The guru led an ascetic existence in the mountains, surviving on fruit and water.
A guru aszketikus életet élt a hegyekben, gyümölcsön és vízen élve.
Her daily routine was surprisingly ascetic, with early mornings, cold showers, and long hours of meditation.
They admired his ascetic discipline but had no desire to copy it.
The movement encouraged an ascetic way of life as a path to spiritual clarity.
Learner examples
He lives an ascetic life and owns very few things.
Aszketikus életet él, és nagyon kevés holmija van.
The monks follow an ascetic lifestyle with simple food and clothes.
A szerzetesek aszketikus életmódot folytatnak, egyszerű ételt esznek és egyszerű ruhát viselnek.
She chooses an ascetic way of living to focus on her religion.
Their rules are very ascetic and do not allow parties or rich food.
In his old age, he became more ascetic and quiet.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "ascetic" with "aesthetic". "Ascetic" is about self-denial and a very simple life; "aesthetic" is about beauty and art. They also sometimes think "ascetic" means just "simple" without the idea of deliberate self-denial or discipline.
Meaning
practicing strict self-denial
Collocations
ascetic lifestyle
|ascetic monk
|ascetic practices
|ascetic discipline
|ascetic life
|ascetic ideals
Synonyms
austere (Often stresses plainness and lack of comfort, not always for religious reasons.)
|
spartan (Emphasizes harsh simplicity and toughness rather than spiritual motivation.)
|
self-denying (Highlights the refusal of pleasures; less specifically religious than "ascetic.")
Antonyms
indulgent (Willing to enjoy or allow many pleasures, the opposite attitude to self-denial.)
|
luxurious (Full of comfort and pleasure, the opposite kind of lifestyle to an ascetic one.)
Themes
religion
|lifestyle
|philosophy
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Living in a very simple way and saying no to many pleasures, often because of religion or strong beliefs.
Living in a very simple, disciplined way and avoiding physical pleasures, often for religious or moral reasons.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
aszkéta
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is an ascetic
The village offered food and shelter to the wandering ascetic.
A falu ételt és szállást adott a vándor aszkétának.
As a young man he was a pleasure-seeker, but later he became an ascetic devoted to prayer.
Fiatalon az élvezeteket hajszolta, de később az imának szentelt aszkétává vált.
The painting shows an emaciated ascetic meditating under a tree.
Many admired the ascetic for his calm and wisdom, though they could not imagine living like him.
The king was advised by a well-known ascetic who had renounced all wealth.
Learner examples
The old man in the cave is an ascetic.
A barlangban élő öregember aszkéta.
People say the ascetic has not eaten meat for many years.
Az emberek azt mondják, hogy az aszkéta sok éve nem evett húst.
An ascetic often wears simple clothes and eats little food.
The film tells the story of a young man who becomes an ascetic.
They invited an ascetic to speak about simple living.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "ascetic" only for religious professionals like monks, but it can describe any person who chooses strict self-denial, religious or not. Also, do not confuse "an ascetic" (a self-denying person) with "an aesthetic" (a style or idea of beauty).
Meaning
person who lives in self-denial
Collocations
a devout ascetic
|a wandering ascetic
|a religious ascetic
|a Hindu ascetic
|mystic and ascetic
|hermit-like ascetic
Synonyms
hermit (Focuses on living alone; not always motivated by self-denial or religious discipline.)
|
monk (A member of a religious community; may be ascetic, but the word refers to the role, not the lifestyle quality itself.)
|
holy man (Emphasizes spiritual status; may or may not live in an ascetic way.)
Antonyms
hedonist (A person who actively seeks pleasure, especially physical pleasure, which contrasts directly with an ascetic.)
Themes
religion
|lifestyle
|philosophy
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Someone who chooses a very simple life and says no to many pleasures, often because of religion.
A person who lives a very simple and disciplined life, avoiding physical pleasures, usually for religious or spiritual reasons.
C2
FORMAL
3
puritán
B2
Usage pattern:
an ascetic [style]
The room had an almost ascetic design, with bare walls and a single wooden chair.
A szoba berendezése szinte puritán volt: csupasz falak és egyetlen fa szék.
Her writing is known for its ascetic prose and lack of emotional adjectives.
Írásaira a puritán próza és az érzelmi jelzők hiánya jellemző.
The building’s ascetic aesthetic reflects the architect’s belief in functional simplicity.
He chose an ascetic color palette of whites and grays for the exhibition.
The film’s ascetic style forces the viewer to focus on the actors’ faces.
Learner examples
The house has an ascetic style with very little furniture.
A ház stílusa puritán, nagyon kevés bútor van benne.
I like the ascetic design of this room; it is clean and simple.
Tetszik ennek a szobának a puritán kialakítása; letisztult és egyszerű.
The artist uses an ascetic style with only black and white.
Her ascetic prose is simple, with few long words.
The restaurant has an ascetic look, with plain tables and no pictures.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "ascetic" in this sense means just "old" or "cheap." It actually describes a very plain, severe style, not the age or cost. It is also different from "aesthetic," which refers more broadly to beauty or artistic taste.
Meaning
plain and severely simple in style
Collocations
ascetic style
|ascetic prose
|ascetic design
|ascetic aesthetic
|visually ascetic
|almost ascetic interior
Synonyms
minimalist (Common in art and design; focuses on using very few elements.)
|
spare (Suggests plain, economical use of elements, especially in writing or design.)
|
unadorned (Emphasizes absence of decoration without necessarily implying moral or spiritual reasons.)
Antonyms
ornate (Highly decorated and detailed, the opposite of an ascetic style.)
|
lavish (Rich and full, with many details or decorations, contrasting with severe simplicity.)
Themes
art
|design
|literature
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very simple in style, with almost no decoration or extra detail.
Marked by extreme simplicity and lack of ornament or decoration, especially in style, design, or artistic expression.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ascetic
IPA
GB/əsˈɛtɪk/
US/əsˈɛtɪk/
Syllables & stress
as - cet - ic (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cet)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: ascetic
Noun
- Base: ascetic
- Plural: ascetics
Word family
Forms
ascetics
noun
Core family
asceticism
noun
Related words
ascetically
adverb
Expressions
ascetic lifestyle
1/əsˈɛtɪk lˈaɪfstˌaɪl/
fixed phrase
formal
a life of strict self-denial
A way of living that is very simple and strict, with many pleasures refused on purpose.
Examples
- After his illness, he chose an ascetic lifestyle focused on meditation and healthy food.
- She writes about her ascetic lifestyle, living in a small cabin without electricity.
live an ascetic life
1/lˈɪv ən əsˈɛtɪk lˈaɪf/
fixed phrase
formal
to live very simply and strictly
To choose to live in a very simple and strict way and say no to many pleasures.
Examples
- He decided to leave the city and live an ascetic life in the countryside.
- Many saints are said to have lived an ascetic life, eating little and owning almost nothing.