stern

• Décrit une personne, une expression du visage ou une manière d'être qui est sérieuse, stricte et souvent sans sourire.

Describes a person, expression, or manner that is serious, strict, and often unsmiling.

1. Strict and serious demeanorB2formal

   Having a strict, serious, and forbidding appearance or manner.

   Sévère et sérieux

   • The stern teacher rarely smiled in class.
   • His stern expression made the children quiet down immediately.
   • She gave him a stern look when he interrupted.

   Synonymesausteredourforbiddinggrimharshseveresteelystrictunsmilingunyielding

   Antonymeseasygoinggentleindulgentkindlenientmildpermissivetolerant

2. Unyielding and firmB2formal

   Not easily moved or persuaded; resolute and unyielding.

   inflexible, rigoureux

   • The judge was stern in his refusal to grant bail.
   • Her stern determination helped her overcome many obstacles.
   • They faced stern opposition from the committee.

   Synonymesausterefirmharshinflexibleresoluterigidseverestrictunrelentingunyielding

   Antonymesflexibleindulgentlenientmildyielding

3. Demanding and severeB2formal

   Making strict and uncompromising demands; harsh in expectations.

   Sévère et intransigeant

   • The coach was stern with the players, demanding perfection.
   • Stern discipline was required to maintain order in the camp.
   • His stern standards made him a difficult boss to work for.

   Synonymesaustereexactingharshrigidrigorousseverestrictstringentuncompromising

   Antonymesgentleindulgentkindlenientmildpermissivetolerant

4. Severely simpleC1formal

   Having a plain, unadorned, and severe appearance.

   D'une simplicité sévère

   • The room was decorated in a stern, minimalist style.
   • The building's stern facade reflected its utilitarian purpose.
   • She preferred the stern elegance of a simple black dress.

   Synonymesasceticausterebarebleakforbiddinggrimplainseverespartanstark

   Antonymesdecorativeelaboratefancyflamboyantornate

• Nom désignant la partie arrière d'un navire ou d'un bateau, ou la partie charnue du corps humain sur laquelle on s'assoit.

A noun referring to the rear part of a ship or boat, or the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on.

1. Rear of a shipB1formal

   The back part of a ship or boat.

   Arrière d'un navire

   • The captain stood at the stern, watching the wake.
   • The lifeboats are stored near the stern.
   • The ship's name was painted on the stern.

   Synonymesafterpooprear

   Antonymesbowforeheadprow

2. B2informal

   The fleshy part of the human body that you sit on; the buttocks.

   fessier, postérieur

   • He fell and landed on his stern.
   • The doctor gave him an injection in the stern.
   • She slipped on the ice and bruised her stern.

   Synonymesbacksidebehindbottombumbuttderriererearrumpseat