austerity

noun

aus·​ter·​i·​ty ȯ-ˈster-ə-tē 

-ˈste-rə-

also -ˈstir-ə-

plural austerities

1

: the quality or state of being austere: such as

a

: a stern and serious quality

the formal austerity of his manner

b

: a plain and simple quality

the austerity of the design

2

: enforced or extreme economy especially on a national scale

lived through years of austerity after the war

fiscal austerity

a series of austerity measures [=measures taken to reduce spending]

3

a

: an austere act, manner, or attitude

monastic self-denial and austerities

b

: an ascetic (see ascetic sense 1) practice

Examples of austerity in a Sentence

the austerity of the design

The austerity of their lifestyle was surprising.

They lived through years of austerity after the war.

the austerities practiced by monks

Recent Examples on the Web

The bank branch was on the route of a mass demonstration called during a general strike to protest austerity measures imposed for the country’s first bailout. — ABC News, 10 July 2026

Critics of the government, in turn, noted that government officials, and especially members of the Castro family, had always enjoyed a life of luxury behind a veneer of revolutionary austerity, which has become more evident in the social media era. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Respondents expressed that while hiring and promotion freezes, budget cuts and layoffs were reduced compared to 2024, economic austerity remains at organizations, adding pressure to existing teams and reducing security resilience. — Ipsita Mohanty, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

The departure of Adorni — who, as Milei’s spokesperson, emerged in 2023 as the face of his strict austerity program and anti-corruption drive — costs the president one of his most trusted and longtime aides. — Clara Preve, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

see austere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for austerity

• alterity
• asperity
• celerity
• dexterity
• disparity
• hilarity
• molarity
• planarity
• polarity
• posterity
• prosperity
• severity

Kids Definition

austerity

noun

aus·​ter·​i·​ty ȯ-ˈster-ət-ē 

plural austerities

1

: the quality or state of being austere

2

: an austere act, manner, or attitude

3

: a way of living with few or no luxuries