austerity

UK: /ɔːˈstɛrɪti/ US: /ɔˈstɛrəti/ ,(ô ster′i tē)

Inflections of 'austerity' (n): npl: austerities

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

aus•ter•i•ty /ɔˈstɛrəti/   n., pl. -ties. 

1. [uncountable] a simple lifestyle;
   not using luxuries:
   the austerity of life in the wilderness.
2. hardship caused by war, economic downturn, etc.:
   [uncountable] in times of austerity.
   [countable] the austerities of wartime.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

aus•ter•i•ty  (ô ster′i tē), n., pl. -ties. 

1. austere quality;
   severity of manner, life, etc.;
   sternness.
2. Usually, austerities. ascetic practices:
   austerities of monastery life.
3. strict economy.

• Latin austēritās. See austere, -ity
• Anglo-French, Old French austerite
• Middle English austerite 1300–50

Synonyms

• 1. harshness, strictness, asceticism, rigor.
• 2. See hardship. 

Antonyms

• 1. leniency.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

austerity / ɒˈstɛrɪtɪ/ noun ( -ties)

1. the state or quality of being austere
2. (often plural) an austere habit, practice, or act
3. reduced availability of luxuries and consumer goods, esp when brought about by government policy
4. (as modifier): an austerity budget