Austere means plain, simple, and without luxury or decoration. An austere room might have bare walls, a simple bed, and no extra furniture or decorations. An austere meal might be plain rice and beans, nothing fancy.

The word often describes a deliberate choice to live simply rather than living in poverty. Monks in monasteries choose an austere lifestyle, owning few possessions and living in plain rooms, because they believe this helps them focus on spiritual matters. Some athletes follow austere training regimens, eating simple foods and avoiding distractions to improve their performance.

Austere can also describe someone's manner or personality. An austere teacher might be strict and serious, rarely smiling or joking. An austere building might be all straight lines and concrete, with no decorative details. When something is austere, it strips away everything extra and unnecessary.

The word carries a sense of seriousness and self-discipline. Choosing an austere life means choosing purpose over pleasure, simplicity over comfort. While “plain” just means not fancy, austere suggests a kind of strength in that plainness, like a mountain cabin with nothing but essentials, or a scientist's lab focused entirely on the work at hand.