stern
Use Stern in a sentence
adjective, stern·er, stern·est.
1.
firm, strict, or uncompromising: stern discipline.
2.
hard, harsh, or severe: a stern reprimand.
3.
rigorous or austere; of an unpleasantly serious character: stern times.
4.
grim or forbidding in aspect: a stern face.
Origin:
before 1000; Middle English; Old English styrne
before 1000; Middle English; Old English styrne
Related forms
stern·ly, adverb
stern·ness, noun
Synonyms
1, 2. adamant, unrelenting, unsympathetic, cruel, unfeeling. Stern, severe, harsh agree in referring to methods, aspects, manners, or facial expressions. Stern implies uncompromising, inflexible firmness, and sometimes a hard, forbidding, or withdrawn aspect or nature: a stern parent. Severe implies strictness, lack of sympathy, and a tendency to impose a hard discipline on others: a severe judge. Harsh suggests a great severity and roughness, and cruel, unfeeling treatment of others: a harsh critic.
1, 2. adamant, unrelenting, unsympathetic, cruel, unfeeling. Stern, severe, harsh agree in referring to methods, aspects, manners, or facial expressions. Stern implies uncompromising, inflexible firmness, and sometimes a hard, forbidding, or withdrawn aspect or nature: a stern parent. Severe implies strictness, lack of sympathy, and a tendency to impose a hard discipline on others: a severe judge. Harsh suggests a great severity and roughness, and cruel, unfeeling treatment of others: a harsh critic.
Antonyms
1. lenient.
1. lenient.
00:10
Stern
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
noun
1.
the after part of a vessel (often opposed to stem ).
2.
the back or rear of anything.
3.
( initial capital letter ) Astronomy. the constellation Puppis.
4.
Fox Hunting. the tail of a hound.
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English sterne, probably < Old Norse stjōrn steering (done aft; see sternpost)
1250–1300; Middle English sterne, probably < Old Norse stjōrn steering (done aft; see sternpost)
stern-
variant of sterno- before a vowel: sternite.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To stern
Collins
World English Dictionary
stern1 (stɜːn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | showing uncompromising or inflexible resolve; firm, strict, or authoritarian |
| 2. | lacking leniency or clemency; harsh or severe |
| 3. | relentless; unyielding: the stern demands of parenthood |
| 4. | having an austere or forbidding appearance or nature |
| [Old English styrne; related to Old High German stornēn to alarm, Latin sternāx stubborn, Greek stereos hard] | |
| 'sternly1 | |
| —adv | |
| 'sternness1 | |
| —n | |
| stern2 (stɜːn) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the rear or after part of a vessel, opposite the bow or stem |
| 2. | the rear part of any object |
| 3. | the tail of certain breeds of dog, such as the foxhound or beagle |
| —adj | |
| 4. | relating to or located at the stern |
| [C13: from Old Norse stjōrn steering; see | |
| Stern (stɜːn) | |
| —n | |
| Isaac. 1920--2001, US concert violinist, born in (what is now) Ukraine | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
stern
O.E. styrne "severe, strict," from P.Gmc. *sternijaz (cf. M.H.G. sterre, Ger. starr "stiff," störrig "obstinate;" Goth. andstaurran "to be stiff;" O.N. stara; O.E. starian "to look or gaze upon"), from PIE base *ster-, *star- "be rigid" (see sterile).
stern
c.1300, "hind part of a ship, steering gear of a ship," probably from O.N. stjorn "a steering," related to styra "to guide" (see steer (v.)). Or the word may come from O.Fris. stiarne "rudder," which is also related to steer (v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary
stern definition
|
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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American Heritage
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Example sentences from the web
Stern pinball is the only current manufacturer of original pinball machines.
The stern expression of the pug belies its true sense of fun.
If in the stern, the paddler pulls from the waist to the stern of the canoe.
End of studies at the stern conservatory, receiving an exceptional diploma.
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