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

This period of fiscal austerity and penny-pinching has fueled creative workarounds. —Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025

Corporate and individual spending is currently plagued by austerity measures, which means the entrepreneurial leader’s approach must be even sharper. —Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

He was appointed by a Republican president who did not run on austerity measures in the first place, outside of DOGE. —W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2025

In an age of austerity, the Elizabeth line exudes confidence in the city’s future. —Thomas Ableman, New York Daily News, 2 June 2025

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