Austere | Vital SAT Vocab
As HARSH as it may be, sometimes we must endure austere situations.
When I think of austere, I think of environments that are harsh, sparse, and stripped down to the essentials.
For example, prison cells, at least in the United States, are often described as austere. There’s little to make you comfortable; sometimes there’s no pillow, no sheet, and very few personal items.
What’s interesting is that austerity isn’t always forced. Some people choose to live in austere conditions, either to save money, reduce distractions, or cultivate a certain mindset through simplicity.
You may have also heard the term austerity measures, which refers to policies governments impose during difficult economic times. These usually involve cutting spending and limiting resources, another clear example of austere conditions at a larger scale.
📚️ Definition of Austere
Austere (adjective): Severe or strict in manner, appearance, or attitude; without decoration or luxury; extremely plain and simple. Example: an austere cabin in the woods.
🗣️ Pronunciation of Austere
IPA: /ɔˈstɪr/ (See IPA key)
Respelling: aw-STEER
📰 Examples of Austere
Here are some examples of the word austere:
Raised during the Great Depression, my grandmother insisted on a certain austere lifestyle, for example, requiring us to reuse bathwater by transferring it to the toilet tank.
The Brutalist architecture movement of the 1950s-70s created austere concrete buildings that prioritized function over decoration, an aesthetic that some find striking, and others bleak.
For paid subscribers, I offer a custom image to help remember the word. You can see myriad examples of the graphics I make to illustrate the words in the archives.
🧠 Quick quiz
AUSTERE most nearly means:
(A) cold
(B) ascetic
(C) still
(D) hard
(E) calm
Answer is at the bottom. Discussion is in the comments.
