词性：adj
音标： [ɔˈstɪr]
释义： 朴素的，简朴的; 严峻的，严厉的; 苦行的; 一丝不苟的 Having an extremely plain and simple style or appearance
Synonyms: unadorned, subdued, stark, stern
The adjective austere is used to describe something or someone stern or without any decoration. You wouldn’t want someone to describe you or your home as austere.
Austere is not usually a positive word because it means that a person or a thing isn’t pleasurable. For example, if you go on an austere diet, it’s likely you wouldn’t ever get to have candy. The adjective comes into English by way of French, Latin, and Greek, meaning “harsh” and “dry.” It’s pronounced as “ah-STEER,” with an emphasis on the second syllable.