| Front | stern |
|---|---|
| Back | stern adjective, noun BrE /stɜːn/ NAmE /stɜːrn/ adjective word origin thesaurus example bank (stern•er, stern•est) 1 serious and often disapproving; expecting sb to obey you strict a stern face/expression/look a stern warning Her voice was stern. The police are planning sterner measures to combat crime. 2 serious and difficult a stern test of nerves We face stern opposition. stern•ly /BrE stɜːnli; NAmE stɜːrnli/ adverb stern•ness /BrE ; NAmE / noun [uncountable] be made of sterner ˈstuff to have a stronger character and to be more determined in dealing with problems than other people Many would have given up, but Tim was made of sterner stuff. noun word origin the back end of a ship or boat compare bow1 n., poop, see from stem to stern at stem n. |
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