austerely
gb/ˌɔstˈɪɹli/ us/ˌɔstˈɪɹli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
property
1
in a strict, severe way
in a very strict and serious way
Usage pattern:
[someone] speaks/replies/looks [austerely]
Common mistake:
Don’t use it to mean simply “seriously” or “quietly”; it suggests strictness and lack of warmth.
Synonyms
sternly (Emphasizes strictness and disapproval.)
|
severely (Often suggests harshness or punishment.)
|
grimly (Adds a sense of dark seriousness.)
Antonyms
warmly (Shows friendliness and kindness instead of strictness.)
|
leniently (Shows tolerance instead of severity.)
Collocations
reply austerely
|say austerely
|speak austerely
|warn austerely
|look austerely
|stare austerely
|smile austerely
|rebuke austerely
|nod austerely
Themes
emotions
|interpersonal
|behavior
Examples
- The headteacher spoke austerely about the consequences of cheating.
- When asked to explain, she replied austerely and ended the discussion.
- He looked at them austerely, as if waiting for an apology.
Learner examples
- The manager answered austerely.
- She spoke austerely to the class.
adverb
C1
property
2
in a plain, unadorned style
simply, without decoration
Usage pattern:
[place/thing] is [austerely] furnished/decorated/designed
Common mistake:
It does not mean “old” or “empty”; it means intentionally simple and lacking decoration.
Synonyms
sparingly (Highlights that only a small amount is used.)
|
plainly (More general; may lack the sense of severity.)
|
simply (Often more positive and less severe.)
Antonyms
ornately (Uses a lot of decoration instead of simplicity.)
|
luxuriously (Emphasizes comfort and expense rather than plainness.)
Collocations
austerely furnished
|austerely decorated
|austerely designed
|austerely modern
|austerely simple
|austerely lit
|austerely elegant
|austerely minimal
Themes
design
|home
|lifestyle
Examples
- The room was austerely furnished, with just a bed and a desk.
- The gallery is austerely designed to keep attention on the paintings.
- She wore an austerely cut black suit with no jewelry.
Learner examples
- Their apartment is austerely decorated.
adverb
B2
property
3
with financial restraint
with very careful spending
Usage pattern:
[someone/government] lives/spends/operates [austerely]
Common mistake:
Not the same as “cheaply” (which can sound negative or low quality); it focuses on strict restraint.
Synonyms
frugally (Focuses on careful spending and saving.)
|
economically (Neutral term for using money carefully.)
|
sparingly (Emphasizes using little of something.)
Antonyms
extravagantly (Spends freely instead of restraining costs.)
|
lavishly (Suggests rich comfort and abundance.)
Collocations
live austerely
|spend austerely
|operate austerely
|budget austerely
|run austerely
|austerely managed
|austerely funded
Themes
money
|business
|politics
|lifestyle
Examples
- After losing his job, he lived austerely and cut out all nonessential spending.
- The company operated austerely during the downturn, postponing new hires.
- For years the region was governed austerely under strict budget rules.
Learner examples
- We had to live austerely for a few months.
adverb
C1
property
4
in a cold, unfriendly way
in an unfriendly, distant way
Usage pattern:
[someone] greets/treats [someone] [austerely]
Common mistake:
This overlaps with “strictly,” but here the focus is on emotional distance rather than rules or discipline.
Synonyms
coldly (Directly highlights lack of warmth.)
|
distantly (Emphasizes emotional distance more than severity.)
|
stiffly (Often suggests formal discomfort as well as coldness.)
Antonyms
cordially (Shows friendly politeness rather than coldness.)
|
affectionately (Shows warmth and closeness instead of distance.)
Collocations
greet austerely
|treat austerely
|receive austerely
|watch austerely
|regard austerely
|austerely polite
Themes
emotions
|interpersonal
Examples
- She greeted him austerely, offering only a brief handshake.
- The guests were received austerely, with no small talk or smiles.
- He listened austerely, keeping his face expressionless.
Learner examples
- He greeted me austerely.
Grammar
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.