Spanish word

austero

Pronunciation

IPA/awsˈteɾo/

Meaning

  • adjectivemodest

Example

Su casa es austera.

His house is modest.

Illustration for austero (modest)

More examples

Lleva una vida austera desde hace años.

He has lived a frugal life for years.

Core concept

A sparsely furnished room with plain walls and few decorations.

Common phrases

  • vida austera

    frugal life

  • decoración austera

    austere decoration

  • estilo austero

    austere style

Similar words

sobrio: Displays a calm, muted look or color palette without flashy details.
sencillo: Appears plain and unadorned, easy to use or familiar in style.
modesto: Presents oneself or possessions modestly, avoiding boastful display.
frugal: Manages resources sparingly, cutting nonessential spending to stretch funds.

Definition in Spanish

Que evita adornos y gastos innecesarios, mostrando moderación y sobriedad en el estilo o la vida cotidiana.

Word origin

Derives from Latin austerus, ultimately from Greek austēros 'severe', and denotes restraint or avoidance of unnecessary expense.

Usage tips

  • Spanish austero commonly describes style, decor, or a way of living and can sound harsh for a person, so use sencillo or sobrio to soften the tone.

Other meanings

  • simpleadjective
  • frugaladjective

Opposites

  • lujosoluxuriousadjective
  • ostentosoostentatiousadjective

Related words

  • austeridadfrugalitynoun
  • austeramenteausterelyadverb

Word lists with this word