Austerity

Definition

Austerity is a noun. Generally, it denotes sternness or severity of manner or life; plainness and lack of luxury; and, in economics and public policy, a program of spending cuts, tax increases, or other measures intended to reduce budget deficits and debt.

Parts of Speech

• Noun (usually uncountable; plural austerities in some senses)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /ɔˈstɛrəti/ (also /ɑˈstɛrəti/)
• Respelling: aw-STER-uh-tee

British English

• IPA: /ɔːˈstɛrɪti/
• Respelling: aw-STER-i-tee

Etymology

Middle English austerite via Old French austerité, from Latin austeritās “severity, harshness,” from austerus “harsh, severe,” ultimately from Ancient Greek austērós “harsh, rough, severe.”

Derivatives

• austere (adjective): severe or strict; plain and unadorned
• austerely (adverb): in an austere manner
• austereness (noun, rare): the quality of being austere
• austerities (plural noun): hardships; strict measures; severe self-denials
• austerity measures (fixed phrase): government policies aimed at fiscal consolidation
• anti-austerity (adjective/noun): opposing austerity policies; a movement against such policies

Synonyms

• (manner) severity, sternness, rigor, strictness
• (lifestyle/style) frugality, asceticism, plainness, simplicity, spartanism
• (policy) belt-tightening, retrenchment, fiscal consolidation, stringency

Antonyms

• (manner) leniency, indulgence, laxity
• (lifestyle/style) luxury, opulence, extravagance
• (policy) stimulus, expansion, largesse

Usage

General: Refers to severity or plainness in conduct, lifestyle, or design. “Monastic austerity shaped their daily routine.”

Economic/policy: Common in public discourse to describe deficit-reduction programs that curb public spending and/or raise taxes. “Following the crisis, the government adopted austerity to stabilize debt.”

Style/design: Can denote minimalism or lack of ornament. “The room’s austerity was softened by natural light.”

Usage note: In economic contexts the term is politically charged; supporters emphasize fiscal discipline, while critics highlight social costs (e.g., reduced services, slower growth). Specify the measures or outcomes to avoid ambiguity.

Related Terms

• Austere: Severe or plain in manner or appearance.
• Ascetic: Practicing severe self-discipline and abstention.
• Frugality: Careful or sparing use of resources.
• Retrenchment: Reduction of costs or spending.
• Contractionary fiscal policy: Government policy that reduces aggregate demand via spending cuts or tax increases.
• Belt-tightening: Informal term for living or governing with fewer resources.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• Sternness or severity of manner, attitude, or judgment — strict self-discipline or rigor.
  • Example: “Her mentor’s austerity pushed the team to higher standards.”
• Extreme plainness and simplicity of style or living — absence of luxury or ornament.
  • Example: “They embraced an aesthetic of austerity in the cabin’s design.”
• (Economics/Politics) A policy or condition of reduced public spending, higher taxes, or both, to decrease budget deficits and public debt.
  • Example: “Protests erupted in response to new austerity measures in the budget.”
• (Countable, often plural) Acts of strict self-denial or hardships imposed.
  • Example: “War-time austerities included rationing and price controls.”