Word a Day
austere
What does austere mean?
austere (adjective): grim or severe in manner or appearance.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
How do you use austere in a sentence?
- The headmistress was an austere old woman. (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0)
How do you pronounce austere?
/ɔˈstɪɹ/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does austere come from?
From Ancient Greek αὐστηρός (austērós, “bitter, harsh, astringent”), having the specific meaning “making the tongue dry” (originally used of fruits, wines), related to αὔω (aúō, “to singe”), αὖος (aûos, “dry”).
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What are synonyms of austere?
From Princeton WordNet 3.1.
Test yourself: do you know “austere”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “austere” mean?
foreign, especially in an exciting way
Not quite: that's what exotic means.
likely or expected to happen or become
Not quite: that's what prospective means.
grim or severe in manner or appearance
Right! That's what “austere” means.
of the same origin as claimed; genuine
Not quite: that's what authentic means.
Which word is closest in meaning to “austere”?
loyal
Not quite: loyal means something else.
stark
Right!
nasty
Not quite: nasty means something else.
naval
Not quite: naval means something else.
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