austere
plain, simple, without decoration
Very simple and plain, without extra things, decorations, or comfort.
an austere [room/building/lifestyle/design]
- The bedroom was austere, with white walls and a single wooden bed.
- They chose an austere lifestyle, giving away most of their possessions.
- The church’s interior is surprisingly austere, with no paintings or statues.
- Modern cafés often favor an austere design with concrete floors and bare lightbulbs.
- Despite its austere setting, the mountain village felt peaceful and welcoming.
- His room is very austere, with only a bed and a table.
- The family lives an austere life and does not buy many things.
- The office has an austere style with gray walls and no pictures.
- She likes the clean, austere look of the small house.
strict and very serious in manner
Serious and strict, not warm or friendly in the way a person looks or behaves.
an austere [person/expression/face/manner]
- The headmistress was known for her austere manner and strict rules.
- His father’s austere face softened when he saw the children.
- Despite her austere appearance, she was kind and patient with her students.
- The judge’s austere expression silenced the noisy courtroom.
- He grew up under the influence of an austere grandfather who tolerated no nonsense.
- Our math teacher is quite austere and never smiles in class.
- The woman looked austere, but she was actually very nice.
- His mother’s austere voice made the children quiet.
- The manager has an austere style and expects everyone to work hard.
strict, harsh, and limiting (esp. financially)
Very strict and hard, especially when the government or a company cuts money and help so people have to live with less.
austere [measures/budget/policies/times]
- The government introduced austere measures to reduce the national debt.
- After years of austere budgets, public services are struggling.
- The company adopted an austere cost-cutting program during the recession.
- Many families suffered under the austere economic policies of the 1980s.
- Charities stepped in to help people cope with the increasingly austere social welfare system.
- The country is going through austere times with many job cuts.
- The new leader plans an austere budget with fewer social programs.
- Because of austere economic policies, many people have less money.
- The school has to be austere and cannot buy new computers.
dry, hard, not rich in taste
Describes a drink, usually wine, that tastes dry and hard, not soft or sweet.
an austere [wine/style/flavor]
- The sommelier described the vintage as an austere wine with firm tannins and little fruit.
- Young, austere wines often need time to soften and develop more complexity.
- The sauce had an austere flavor that suited the simple grilled fish.
- The expert said the wine was austere and very dry.
- Some people like rich wine, but others prefer an austere style.
- The soup has an austere taste, with no cream or butter.
austere beauty
1simple, severe, but striking beauty
A kind of beauty that is very simple and has no extra decoration, but still looks strong and impressive.
- The desert has an austere beauty that many people find unforgettable.
- She was drawn to the austere beauty of the stone monastery on the hill.
austere lifestyle
1life with very few comforts
A way of living that is very simple, with almost no extra things, comfort, or luxury, often by choice or for religious reasons.
- The monks follow an austere lifestyle, owning only what they absolutely need.
- After losing his job, he adopted an austere lifestyle and cut all non-essential expenses.
austere measures
1very strict financial or policy cuts
Very strict actions, usually by a government, to cut spending or public help so people have to live with less.
- The prime minister warned that austere measures were necessary to stabilize the economy.
- Unions organized protests in response to the austere measures announced in the new budget.