austere

[US]/ɒˈstɪə(r)/
[UK]/ɔːˈstɪr/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

adj. simple and plain; strict; without decorations; severe; simple and plain; practicing self-denial; strict

Phrases & Collocations

austere lifestyle

austere design

austere beauty

Example Sentences

an aloof and somewhat austere figure.

the austere grandeur of mountain scenery.

the austere figure of a Puritan minister.

a desert nomad's austere life.

He is austere and grave in deportment.

the cathedral is impressive in its austere simplicity.

he was an austere man, with a rigidly puritanical outlook.

an austere style.See Synonyms at severe

Austere officers demand meticulous conformity with military regulations.

The people are still leading an austere life in the mountains.

We led an austere life in the mountain.

The speaker advocated a less austere observance of the Sabbath.

Boucher's paintings did not suit the austere genius of neoclassicism.

Grandfather was an austere man, very strict with his children.

But I said I dare not sleep on it because I am too feebleminded to endure such an austere test.

The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavour upon the business known as gambling.

Palate: the palate shows the benefit of ripe Merlot and Cabernet Franc with wonderful mid palate fleshiness given structure by the more austere Cabernet Sauvignon.

Real-world Examples

The style became more restrained, simplified, and austere.

Source: Curious Muse

The Cistercians wanted a simpler, more austere spiritual life.

Source: A Concise History of Britain (Bilingual Selection)

But the Carthusians were the most austere of these orders.

Source: A Concise History of Britain (Bilingual Selection)

He looked back with fondness to the austere, martial spirit of Sparta.

Source: History

It loves the austere and the ascetical as much as it loves the sensuous.

Source: Ancient Wisdom and Contemporary Love (Video Version)

You can recognize its members by their yellow robes and their austere way of life.

Source: A Brief History of the World

Made from chicken, probably with ham and dried scallop as well, it was simple, austere and perfect.

Source: The Economist - Arts

The lemony intensity pairs well with the austere richness of dark chocolate and the buttery blank slate of shortbread.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

We disagreed with Angela Merkel's needless austere medicine, the continent's recession has been unnecessarily long and brutal as a result.

Source: The Economist - Comprehensive

It was austere, bloody and hopeless, as the West had been for those on the losing end of its conquest.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

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