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

Every element had been carefully considered, Tabitha noted, the suave austerity of the Wassily chairs orbited by antique rugs and estate-sale paintings. —Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026

What these projects have in common is a starchy austerity, the sense that being in the presence of the dead is serious business. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 14 Apr. 2026

Recent budget cuts at the National Institutes of Health and the political wave toward austerity in using public monies for research make Welsh nervous. —Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026

Ward expense accounts have been a touchy area for mayoral administrations to encroach on in times of austerity. —Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 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