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austère

austere, stern

adjective oh-STEHR Rare

Origin: Greek austeros (harsh, bitter)

Also means

plain, unadorned

Usage Note

Austère is invariable in gender (same form masculine and feminine). It describes both people (severe in manner) and things (plain or ascetic in style). In economic contexts, mesures austères or politique d'austérité refer to austerity measures. The related noun is austérité (f).

Examples

"La façade de l'église est sobre et austère."

Natural Translation

The church facade is plain and austere.

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