austere face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'austere face' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's face or expression as being stern or unemotional. For example, "She greeted the guests with an austere face, making them feel slightly intimidated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The dial presents a clean and austere face, reflecting a minimalism common to the Japanese aesthetic.

The New York Times

Until recently, he described himself in Who's Who as a "financial executive," and, indeed, he looks like a bookkeeper — tall, thin, with an austere face, in which severe eyes peer unblinkingly from behind thick glasses.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We're the future".It is easy to see in these party-goers a rejection of the sterner side of the Iranian regime, embodied in the austere patrician face of Ayatollah Khomeini glowering from murals across Tehran.

The Economist

Feminize an austere look with makeup.

WikiHow

Woo has one of those marvellously austere Chinese faces, a countenance forged by hard work and pride.

BBC

Case in point: Steven Alan's cotton Breaker Dress and Christine Tunic, two wearable, washable, stylishly austere ways to face the heat.

The New York Times

Regarding his austere, weather-beaten face, greying hair and simple Dopper dress of a short-cut black jacket, baggy trousers and a black top hat, they considered him extremely ugly.

Wikipedia

As the state has faced austere budgets, the brothels have indicated a willingness to pay more taxes, which would produce more revenue and simultaneously give the brothels more legitimacy if the state came to rely on the money.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — Framed by the Lincoln Memorial's austere marble and facing a crowd of hundreds of thousands, President-elect Barack Obama on Sunday offered words of high inspiration about his forthcoming presidency that were interlaced with cautions about unrealistic expectations for quick remedies.

The New York Times

Such is the case that we scientists need to reinforce in the austere times that we face.

Science Magazine

Except for a wide, humorous mouth, his face was austere and a little forbidding, and his eyes were sad.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's personality, use "austere face" to subtly convey their seriousness or lack of emotional expressiveness without explicitly stating it.

Common error

Avoid using "austere face" when you intend to describe someone who appears arrogant or superior. "Austere" implies a sense of strictness and simplicity, while arrogance suggests a feeling of self-importance. Use "arrogant expression" or "haughty look" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "austere face" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. The adjective "austere" modifies the noun "face", indicating a specific quality or characteristic of the face. Ludwig indicates that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "austere face" describes a facial expression characterized by seriousness, strictness, and a lack of emotional warmth. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Although not very common, the phrase appears mostly in news and media, as well as wiki sources. Alternative phrases, such as "stern expression" or "severe countenance", offer nuanced variations. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning and isn't confused with terms like "arrogant face". The phrase generally evokes a neutral register, making it suitable for various descriptive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stern expression

This alternative focuses on the severity of the expression, similar to "austere" but more direct.

severe countenance

Replaces "face" with "countenance" for a more formal tone, and "austere" with "severe" emphasizing strictness.

unsmiling visage

Describes the absence of a smile, highlighting the lack of warmth associated with an austere expression.

grim facial expression

Uses "grim" to convey a sense of severity and unhappiness in the face.

forbidding look

Shifts from describing the face itself to the impression it creates, emphasizing its intimidating quality.

cold gaze

Focuses specifically on the eyes and their lack of warmth or emotion.

detached demeanor

Moves beyond the face to encompass the entire manner, suggesting emotional distance.

unwelcoming appearance

Highlights the lack of warmth in the overall appearance, not just the face.

expressionless face

Indicates a lack of emotion or animation in the face.

impassive features

Describes the facial features as not showing any emotion or feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "austere face" in a sentence?

You can use "austere face" to describe someone's appearance, suggesting a stern, serious, or emotionally reserved demeanor. For example: "The headmaster's austere face warned the students that he was not in a forgiving mood."

What are some synonyms for "austere face"?

Alternatives include "stern expression", "severe countenance", or "unsmiling visage", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when someone has an "austere face"?

An "austere face" typically suggests that the person appears serious, perhaps even strict or unsmiling. It implies a lack of warmth or emotional display.

Is it appropriate to describe a landscape as having an "austere face"?

While "austere" can describe landscapes (meaning barren or stark), the phrase "austere face" is usually reserved for describing people. For landscapes, consider "austere landscape" or "stark terrain" instead.