noun
austerity
aw-STEH-rih-tee
noun
1
Extreme plainness and self-discipline, with no luxuries.
"The family lived in austerity after losing their savings."
2
A government policy of cutting spending or raising taxes to reduce a deficit.
"Years of austerity led to deep cuts in public services."
How to Use Austerity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiving with very little, by choice or necessity — or, in politics, a government cutting spending hard.
Common pairings
austerity measures
years of austerity
age of austerity
Word Forms
austerities plural
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Etymology
From Greek austērótēs ("harshness"); built from austere plus the suffix -ity.