austere
/ɒstɪə(ɹ)/
Group 1Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Severe or strict in manner; having no comforts GRE
Example in Context
The budget outlined an austere fiscal program that eliminated all discretionary spending and froze government hiring for the coming year.
Synonyms
strictsternplain
Etymology
Harsh and strict, like a monk in a bare room with no decorations!
- austerus (Latin) — harsh
Memory Aid
🐂Sounds like “a steer”
Imagine a STEER in a strict diet, no comforts, just grass — it's very AUSTERE!
Visual Association
🚫A bare, empty room with a single wooden chair and nothing else — severe and uncomfortable.
Mnemonic Image
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “austere” mean on the GRE?
austere (adjective) means “Severe or strict in manner; having no comforts”. The budget outlined an austere fiscal program that eliminated all discretionary spending and froze government hiring for the coming year.
How to remember “austere” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “austere” sounds like “a steer”. Imagine a STEER in a strict diet, no comforts, just grass — it's very AUSTERE!
What are synonyms for “austere”?
Common synonyms: strict, stern, plain.