Adjective: austere (austerer,austerest) o'steer [N. Amer], ó'steer or o'steer [Brit]
- Of a stern or strict bearing or demeanour; forbidding in aspect
"an austere expression";
- stern
- Very plain, appearing grim and minimally functional
"The prison's austere cells contained only basic furnishings";
- severe, stark, stern
- Practising great self-denial
"a desert nomad's austere life";
- ascetic, ascetical, spartan
Derived forms: austerest, austerer
See also: abstemious, nonindulgent, plain, strict
Encyclopedia: Austere