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sternserious, demanding, or forbidding in manner, attitude, or expression

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: serious, demanding, or forbidding in manner, attitude, or expression

Pronunciation (IPA): /stɜːrn/

Korean meaning: 엄격한, 단호한, 냉정한

Korean pronunciation: **스턴**

Example Sentences

  • My grandmother's stern face could make cookies taste less sweet.
  • The judge delivered a stern verdict to the criminal.
  • The fish jumped from the stern of the boat as if trying to escape the captain's stern cooking.

stern

ADJECTIVE

//stɜːrn//

serious, demanding, or forbidding in manner, attitude, or expression

stern concept
💡 Concept

A stern teacher disciplines the misbehaving student with firm authority

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stern rhyme
🎵 Rhyme

Even the stern teacher's heart will turn when students truly learn!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/stɜːrn/
🇬🇧 UK/stɜːn/

🌳Etymology

Rootstern

Origin

From Old English stearn meaning 'severe' or 'hard', which comes from Germanic roots relating to stiffness and rigidity. The nautical meaning (back of a ship) developed because this part was built to be especially sturdy and rigid.

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🎵Rhyme

turnlearnburnearn
turn
learn
burn
earn

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📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My grandmother's stern face could make cookies taste less sweet.

The judge delivered a stern verdict to the criminal.

😄 Fun example

The fish jumped from the stern of the boat as if trying to escape the captain's stern cooking.

She gave him a stern reminder about the deadline.

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Etymology, AI images, rhymes, collocations & examples — all in one!

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📚Related Words

Synonyms

strictsevereharshrigidaustere

Antonyms

lenientgentlemild

Related

bowdeckhulldisciplineauthority