austere

 
Pronunciation: /ɒˈstɪə, ɔː-/

adjective (austerer, austerest)

  • severe or strict in manner or attitude: he was an austere man, with a rigidly puritanical outlook
  • (of living conditions or a way of life) having no comforts or luxuries: conditions in the prison could hardly be more austere
  • having a plain and unadorned appearance: the cathedral is impressive in its austere simplicity

Derivatives

austerely

adverb

Origin:

Middle English: via Old French from Latin austerus, from Greek austēros 'severe'