What is the meaning of the word austere?

The word "austere" is best understood as describing something that is stark or severe in nature. When referring to a person, it can suggest a lack of adornment or excess, which aligns with the notion of being plain or unembellished. In contexts such as architecture or design, "austere" can convey a sense of minimalism, where elements are stripped down to their most basic form without extra decoration.

This starkness often implies a sense of seriousness or seriousness of purpose, rather than warmth or comfort. In contrast, the other options may describe different traits or characteristics that do not capture this essence of simplicity and severity. For instance, calmness refers to tranquility, dependability suggests reliability and trustworthiness, and greediness denotes an excessive desire for more than one needs, which all diverge from the meaning of austere.