Stark
Definition
Stark primarily denotes something as bare, harsh, or clear in a way that is unavoidable to the senses. It can also signify something as severe or strong in appearance or effect.
Parts of Speech
- Adjective
- Adverb
Pronunciation
American English:
- IPA Pronunciation: /stɑrk/
- Respelling: STARK (with "STARK" rhyming with "park" and "dark")
British English:
- IPA Pronunciation: /stɑːk/
- Respelling: STARK (similar to American English, with "STARK" rhyming with "park" and "dark", but with a longer "a" sound)
In both dialects, "stark" is pronounced with an "ar" sound that is clear and strong. The main difference lies in the length of the vowel sound, with British English typically having a slightly longer "a" sound compared to American English.
Etymology
The word "stark" comes from Old English stearc, which means "stiff," from Proto-Germanic starkuz, possibly from Proto-Indo-European sterg-, which means "stiff, rigid".
Derivatives
- Starkness
- Starkly
- Unstark
- Restark
- Starkish
Synonyms
- Bare
- Austere
- Harsh
Antonyms
- Ornate
- Lavish
- Gentle
Usage
The word "stark" is frequently used to describe settings, realities, or appearances that are bare, harsh, or clear-cut. It is often used to set a somber, austere, or clear tone in narrative or descriptive contexts.
Related Terms
- Bareness
- Harshness
- Severity
- Clarity
Detailed Definition
Adjective
- Bare or Unadorned: Having a plain, austere appearance with a lack of features or embellishments.
- Example: "The room had a stark simplicity with white walls and minimal furnishings."
- Clear-Cut or Evident: Clear in appearance or effect, especially to a harsh or unsettling degree.
- Example: "The stark reality of the situation hit him suddenly."
- Strong or Severe: Strong or pronounced in nature, especially in a way that may be undesirable or intimidating.
- Example: "She was facing the stark choice of paying rent or buying food."
Adverb
- Utterly, Wholly: To a complete, utter, or absolute extent.
- Example: "He was stark mad."
stark
The landscape was stark, with only the skeleton of a tree breaking the endless expanse of snow.
His room was stark and unadorned, with not a single picture on the walls.
In the gallery, the stark contrast of the black sculpture against the white walls captured everyone's attention.
🇨🇳 Mandarin (Chinese)
- 鲜明 (xiānmíng) [distinct, clear-cut]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɕjɛn˥˩ miŋ˧˥/
- Respelling: shyen-ming
- 绝对 (juéduì) [absolute]
- IPA Pronunciation: /t͡ɕwɛ˧˥ dwai˥˩/
- Respelling: jweh-dwai
🇮🇳 Hindi
- स्पष्ट (spasṭ) [clear, distinct]
- IPA Pronunciation: /spʌʃʈ/
- Respelling: spusht
- निरा (nirā) [bare, empty]
- IPA Pronunciation: /niː.raː/
- Respelling: nee-raa
🇪🇸 Spanish
- austero [austere]
- IPA Pronunciation: /awsˈteɾo/
- Respelling: owss-TEH-ro
- nítido [clear, distinct]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈnitido/
- Respelling: NEE-tee-doh
🇫🇷 French
- austère [austere]
- IPA Pronunciation: /os.tɛʁ/
- Respelling: os-TAIR
- net [clear, distinct]
- IPA Pronunciation: /nɛt/
- Respelling: net
🇦🇪 Modern Standard Arabic
- واضح (wāḍiḥ) [clear, distinct]
- IPA Pronunciation: /waːdʕiħ/
- Respelling: wah-DHEEH
🇧🇩 Bengali
- স্পষ্ট (spôṣṭ) [clear, distinct]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʃpɔʃʈ/
- Respelling: shposht
🇷🇺 Russian
- явный (yavny) [clear, distinct]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈjavnɨj/
- Respelling: YAHV-nee
- стерильный (steril'ny) [bare, empty]
- IPA Pronunciation: /stʲɪˈrʲilʲnɨj/
- Respelling: stee-RYIL-nee
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- austero [austere]
- IPA Pronunciation: /awˈʃtɛɾu/
- Respelling: ow-SHTEH-roo
- nítido [clear, distinct]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈnitidu/
- Respelling: NEE-tee-doo
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- jelas [clear, distinct]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈdʒɛ.las/
- Respelling: JEH-las
🇩🇪 German
- stark [strong, intense]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʃtaʁk/
- Respelling: shtark
- klar [clear, distinct]
- IPA Pronunciation: /klaːʁ/
- Respelling: klaar
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 鮮明 (senmei) [clear, distinct]
- IPA Pronunciation: /sen.mei̯/
- Respelling: sen-may
- 厳格 (genkaku) [strict, severe]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɡeŋ.kaku/
- Respelling: geng-kah-koo
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- rõ ràng [clear, distinct]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɹə˧˧ ɹaːŋ˧˧/
- Respelling: roh rang
- khắc kỳ [strict, severe]
- IPA Pronunciation: /xək˦˥ ki˧˧/
- Respelling: khahk kee
🇰🇷 Korean
- 명확하다 (myeonghwakhada) [clear, distinct]
- IPA Pronunciation: /mjʌŋ.ʍa.kʰa.da/
- Respelling: myung-hwah-kah-da
- 엄격하다 (eomgyeokhada) [strict, severe]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʌm.gjʌk.ha.da/
- Respelling: um-gyuk-hah-da
🇹🇷 Turkish
- açık [clear, distinct]
- IPA Pronunciation: /aːˈdʒɯk/
- Respelling: ah-JOOK
- sıkı [strict, severe]
- IPA Pronunciation: /sɯˈkɯ/
- Respelling: soo-KOO
🇵🇰 Urdu
- واضح (wāzih) [clear, distinct]
- IPA Pronunciation: /waː.zɪħ/
- Respelling: wah-zih
- سخت (sakht) [strict, severe]
- IPA Pronunciation: /səxt/
- Respelling: sukh-t
