austere
/ɒˈstɪə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ɔːˈstɪr/ (ame, ipa) · /ȯ-ˈstir also -ˈster/ (ame, mw)
austere — 形容詞
- austerepositive
- more austerecomparative
- most austeresuperlative
1. describing a way of living that is very simple and has few comforts or pleasures
簡樸；艱苦
缺乏物質享受的簡樸生活
describing a way of living that is very simple and has few comforts or pleasures, often because a person has very little money or chooses to live without luxuries
After the factory closed, the whole town faced an austere winter with scarce supplies.
工廠關閉後，整個城鎮度過了一個物資匱乏的艱苦冬天。
austere winter
Raj chose an austere life with few possessions so he could focus on his writing.
Raj 選擇了簡樸的生活，只擁有少許物品，以便專心寫作。
The monks followed an austere daily routine of prayer, work, and plain food.
僧侶們遵循著簡樸的日常作息：祈禱、勞動和清淡的飲食。
Yuki and Amelia grew up in an austere household where nothing was ever wasted.
Yuki 和 Amelia 在一個簡樸的家庭長大，任何東西都不浪費。
Kwame described his austere years as a student sleeping on a mattress in a tiny room.
Kwame 描述他當學生時那段簡樸的日子，睡在狹小房間的床墊上。
- comfortable
providing physical ease and relaxation
- luxurious
full of comforts, pleasures, and expensive items
用法筆記
Often describes living conditions, childhood, a period of hardship, or a chosen simple lifestyle. Can be neutral or slightly positive when referring to a deliberate choice of simplicity (e.g. a monastic or artistic life).
常見錯誤
2. plain and simple in appearance, with no decoration, bright colours, or unnecessa
樸素
沒有裝飾或花俏細節的
plain and simple in appearance, with no decoration, bright colours, or unnecessary features — used especially about buildings, rooms, furniture, and design
The museum's austere concrete walls made the paintings stand out more.
博物館樸素的混凝土牆壁讓畫作更加突出。
austere concrete walls
Layla's bedroom had an austere look with only a bed and a wooden chair.
Layla 的臥室風格樸素，只有一張床和一把木椅。
For the new office, the architect chose an austere design with clean lines and no ornaments.
為了新辦公室，建築師選擇了樸素的設計，線條簡潔，沒有裝飾。
Zuri prefers austere furniture — nothing with carved details or bright colours.
Zuri 偏愛樸素的家具——不要有雕刻細節或鮮豔色彩的那種。
The church's austere interior, with its white walls and single wooden cross, felt peaceful.
教堂樸素的內部有白色牆壁和一個木製十字架，給人寧靜的感覺。
- ornate
heavily decorated with many details and patterns
- decorative
having ornamental features designed to look attractive
用法筆記
Commonly used to describe architecture, interior design, visual art, and writing style. This sense contrasts with 'ornate' or 'decorative'. Unlike sense 1, there is no implication of hardship or suffering — only visual simplicity.
常見錯誤
3. very serious, strict, and unfriendly in the way someone looks, speaks, or behave
嚴肅；冷峻
態度嚴厲、不友善的
very serious, strict, and unfriendly in the way someone looks, speaks, or behaves — giving others the feeling that the person disapproves of them
The head teacher was an austere woman who never smiled at the students.
那位校長是個嚴肅的女人，從不對學生微笑。
austere woman
Diego's grandfather had an austere expression that made visitors feel nervous.
Diego 的祖父表情冷峻，讓訪客感到緊張。
When the judge spoke, her austere voice silenced the noisy courtroom.
法官開口說話時，她嚴肅的聲音讓喧鬧的法庭安靜下來。
Sofia found her new boss austere and distant during their first meeting.
Sofia 覺得她的新老闆在第一次見面時態度嚴肅而冷漠。
Visitors were intimidated by the austere faces of the palace guards.
遊客被皇宮守衛冷峻的表情嚇到了。
- stern
similar but less extreme — suggests firm seriousness without the coldness
- severe
focuses more on harshness and strictness than on unfriendliness
- forbidding
emphasises the effect on others — looking dangerous or unwelcoming
用法筆記
Describes a person's expression, tone of voice, or general demeanour. Stronger than 'serious' — it suggests coldness, disapproval, or a strict attitude that makes others uncomfortable. Distinguished from sense 1 and 2 by being about personal manner rather than lifestyle or visual style.