stern

Very serious and strict, especially when telling people how they must behave.

• Our teacher is stern.
• She gave the children a stern warning.
• His father spoke in a stern voice when he broke the rules.

How to use it: stern with someone (The teacher was stern with students who arrived late.)

Similar words: strict, severe, firm

Opposites: lenient, gentle

Common phrases: stern teacher, stern warning, stern voice, stern look

Looking very serious or unfriendly, so that people may feel afraid to approach.

• His face looked stern.
• Her stern expression softened when she saw the baby.
• The portrait showed a man with stern features and dark eyes.

Similar words: grim, forbidding, severe

Opposites: friendly, welcoming

Common phrases: stern face, stern expression, stern features

The back part of a boat or ship.

• She stood at the stern.
• Water splashed over the stern of our boat.
• Both ships had wooden sterns.

How to use it: stern of something (A flag flew at the stern of the boat.)

Similar words: aft, poop

Opposites: bow

Common phrases: the stern, at the stern, stern of something