monastic
gb/mənˈæstɪk/ us/mənˈæstɪk/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
related to monks or monasteries
related to monks, nuns, or monasteries
Usage pattern:
monastic + [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse monastic (about monasteries) with monasticism (the system/way of life).
Synonyms
monkish (More informal; often used for habits or appearance.)
|
cloistered (Emphasizes being in or like a convent/monastery, often secluded.)
Antonyms
secular (Not connected with religion or religious institutions.)
Collocations
monastic order
|monastic life
|monastic community
|monastic tradition
|monastic rule
|monastic vows
|monastic library
|monastic discipline
|monastic monastery
|monastic settlement
Themes
religion
|culture
|history
Examples
- The museum has a collection of monastic manuscripts from the twelfth century.
- She wrote her thesis on monastic communities in medieval Europe.
- The abbey still follows a monastic rule that structures the day around prayer and work.
Learner examples
- We visited a monastic church in the mountains.
- He studies monastic history.
adjective
C1
property
2
austere and disciplined lifestyle
very simple, strict, and without luxury
Usage pattern:
a monastic [lifestyle/existence/routine]
Common mistake:
Monastic here is figurative; it does not necessarily mean the person is religious.
Synonyms
austere (General word for strict simplicity; not necessarily linked to religion.)
|
spartan (Stresses toughness and lack of comfort; more informal.)
|
ascetic (Often implies self-denial for moral or spiritual reasons.)
Antonyms
luxurious (Full of comfort and expensive pleasures.)
|
indulgent (Allowing oneself many pleasures.)
Collocations
monastic lifestyle
|monastic existence
|monastic routine
|monastic simplicity
|monastic discipline
|monastic devotion
|monastic focus
|monastic schedule
|monastic austerity
|almost monastic
Themes
lifestyle
|personality
Examples
- During training he led a monastic life: early mornings, plain food, and no social media.
- Her apartment is almost monastic—bare walls, a desk, and a bed.
- He adopted a monastic routine to finish the novel on time.
Learner examples
- He lives a monastic life with few things.
- She keeps a monastic routine when she studies.
Noun
formal
C2
role
3
a monk or nun (rare)
a monk or nun (rare word)
Usage pattern:
a monastic; monastics
Common mistake:
In modern English, monk or nun is much more common than monastic as a noun.
Synonyms
monk (Common term; usually male.)
|
nun (Common term; usually female.)
Antonyms
layperson (Someone who is not a member of the clergy or a religious order.)
Collocations
a monastic community
|Benedictine monastics
|Cistercian monastics
|monastics and clergy
|monastics in residence
Themes
religion
Examples
- The monastics welcomed the pilgrims and offered them a simple meal.
- Several monastics from the order attended the conference on religious life.
Grammar
Dictionary form
monastic
IPA
GB/mənˈæstɪk/
US/mənˈæstɪk/
Syllables & stress
mon - ast - ic (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ast)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: monastic
Word family
Expressions
monastic cell
1/mənˈæstɪk sˈɛl/
fixed phrase
formal
monk’s small room
a small simple room in a monastery
Examples
- The guide showed us a restored monastic cell with a bed and a writing desk.
- He spent long hours reading in his monastic cell.
monastic community
1/mənˈæstɪk kəmjˈunɪti/
fixed phrase
group living in a monastery
a group of monks or nuns living together
Examples
- The monastic community produces cheese to support itself.
- Local residents helped the monastic community restore the old buildings.
monastic life
1/mənˈæstɪk lˈaɪf/
fixed phrase
life in a monastery
the life of monks or nuns in a monastery
Examples
- She wrote a memoir about entering monastic life in her twenties.
- Monastic life often includes regular times for prayer and work.
monastic order
1/mənˈæstɪk ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
religious group of monks/nuns
a religious group of monks or nuns
Examples
- He joined a monastic order known for strict silence.
- The monastic order established schools and hospitals across the region.
monastic rule
1/mənˈæstɪk ɹˈul/
fixed phrase
formal
set of monastery rules
a set of rules for life in a monastery
Examples
- The monastery follows a monastic rule that dates back centuries.
- The abbot explained how the monastic rule shapes their daily schedule.
monastic vows
1/mənˈæstɪk vˈaʊz/
fixed phrase
formal
promises made by monks/nuns
serious promises made when becoming a monk or nun
Examples
- After years as a novice, he took monastic vows.
- Different communities interpret monastic vows in slightly different ways.