stern
gb/stˈɚn/ us/stˈɚn/
B1
English
~ 2500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
strict and serious in manner
Serious and not smiling; showing you will not change your mind easily.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is stern with [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'stern' with 'stubborn'; 'stern' describes seriousness or strictness, not refusal to change one's opinion regardless of reason.
Synonyms
strict (Implies firm enforcement of rules or discipline, similar to 'stern' but can be less about appearance and more about behavior.)
|
severe (Stronger in suggesting harshness or intensity of manner than 'stern'.)
Antonyms
lenient (Shows tolerance and willingness to allow more freedom, opposite of 'stern'.)
Collocations
stern look
|stern warning
|stern expression
|stern tone
|stern face
Themes
personality
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The teacher gave the students a stern warning about cheating.
- Her stern expression made it clear she was not joking.
- He spoke in a stern tone that silenced the room.
- The manager's stern approach kept the team focused.
- The principal looked at him with a stern face.
Learner examples
- The teacher has a stern voice.
- My father is stern when I am late.
- She gave me a stern look.
- He is a stern man at work.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
back part of a ship or boat
The back part of a ship or boat.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'stern' (rear of a ship) with 'stem' (front post of a ship) due to similar spelling.
Synonyms
aft (A nautical term for the direction toward the back of a ship; less often used as a noun.)
Antonyms
bow (The front part of a ship, opposite of the stern.)
Collocations
ship's stern
|at the stern
|towards the stern
Themes
transport
|nautical
|travel
|transportation
Examples
- The name of the vessel was painted on its stern.
- They stood at the stern watching the wake of the ship.
- A small flag waved from the stern.
- Waves crashed against the stern as we sailed into the wind.
Learner examples
- We sat at the stern of the boat.
- The flag is on the stern.
- The captain stood at the stern.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stern
IPA
GB/stˈɚn/
US/stˈɚn/
Syllables & stress
stern (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (stern)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: stern
- Comparative: sterner
- Superlative: sternest
Noun
- Base: stern
- Plural: sterns
Word family
Forms
sterns
noun
sterner
adjective
sternest
adjective
Core family
sternly
adverb B2
sternness
noun
Expressions
at the stern
1/ˈæt ðə stˈɚn/
fixed phrase
technical
located at back of a ship
In the back part of a ship or boat.
Examples
- The crew gathered at the stern to watch the sunset.
- They stored fishing gear at the stern.
stern warning
1/stˈɚn wˈɔɹnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
serious caution to someone
A strong and serious message telling someone to stop doing something bad or dangerous.
Examples
- The police issued a stern warning to the protesters.
- She gave her son a stern warning about lying.