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stern JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU

/stɜːn/ · stern
adjective
  1. Having a hardness and severity of nature or manner. The stern teacher gave the student a failing grade.
  2. Grim and forbidding in appearance. The stern expression on the captain's face warned the crew to stay alert.
Did you know? The word 'stern' has been used to describe the stern of a ship, which is the rear section, since the 14th century, reflecting its association with the idea of a strong and unyielding structure.
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 0 lookups Added Jul 15, 2026