stern
sturn
Stern (adjective) means Serious and strict in manner; harsh or severe. Example: “The captain's stern voice silenced the noisy crowd at once.”
adjective
1
Serious and strict in manner; harsh or severe.
"The captain's stern voice silenced the noisy crowd at once."
"The teacher gave the boys a stern warning."
"Her stern expression made it clear she wasn't joking."
noun
1
The rear end of a ship or boat.
"We sat at the stern of the ferry and watched the harbour disappear."
"The little rowing boat had a tiny seat at the stern."
"Waves crashed over the stern as the storm picked up."
How to use stern
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStrict and serious in tone, or (as a noun) the back of a boat.
Common mistake
The stern is the back of a boat; the bow is the front — easy to mix up.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
stern warning
stern look
stern of the ship
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Word forms
- Plural
- sterns
- Third person singular
- sterns
- Past tense
- sterned
- Comparative
- sterner
- Superlative
- sternest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The captain's _____ voice silenced the noisy crowd at once.
Etymology
From Old English styrne ("severe, strict"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "angry" or "shocked."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for stern
See all rhymes for stern →Frequently asked questions
What does “stern” mean?
The word “stern” means serious and strict in manner; harsh or severe. In plain terms, strict and serious in tone, or (as a noun) the back of a boat.
How do you pronounce “stern”?
“Stern” is pronounced sturn (/stɝn/ in IPA).
How do you use “stern” in a sentence?
Here is “stern” used in a sentence: “The teacher gave the boys a stern warning.”
What is another word for “stern”?
Words with a similar meaning to “stern” include brutal, callous, cold, cold-eyed, cruel and dour.
What is the opposite of “stern”?
The opposite of “stern” — its antonyms — are animated, cheerful, emotional, empathic and gregarious.
What part of speech is “stern”?
Depending on how it is used, “stern” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “stern” come from?
The word “stern” comes from Old English. From Old English styrne ("severe, strict"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "angry" or "shocked.".
Is “stern” a common word?
“Stern” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between the stern and the bow of a ship?
The stern is the rear end of a ship or boat, while the bow is the front. The two terms mark opposite ends of a vessel.
What is the difference between stern and strict?
Both describe a firm, no-nonsense manner. Stern emphasizes a serious, severe, sometimes forbidding attitude, often shown in expression or tone, while strict emphasizes rigidly enforcing rules. A person can be strict without looking stern, and the reverse.
What is the difference between stern and harsh?
Stern describes a serious, severe, and disapproving manner that often conveys authority. Harsh is stronger and more negative, suggesting cruelty or unpleasantness. A stern warning is firm, while a harsh one is punishing.
What words commonly go with stern?
Common collocations include "stern warning," "stern look," "stern face," and "stern discipline." Each uses the adjective sense of serious and severe.
