English · Word Candidate

stern

/stɜːn/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: sterner · sternest · sterns · sterning

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Having a hardness and severity of nature or manner.

Adjective

Examples

I haue beene wooed, as I intreat thee now, / Euen by the ſterne, and direfull God of warre, / VVhoſe ſinowie necke in battel nere did bow, / VVho conquers where he comes in euery iarre; […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Grim and forbidding in appearance.

Adjective

Examples

The remark earned me a stern rebuke.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

The rear part (after end) of a ship or other vessel.

Noun

Examples

Holonyms: watercraft < vessel

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

The post of management or direction.

Noun

Examples

and sit chiefest stern of public weal

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “stern” mean?

Having a hardness and severity of nature or manner.

Is “stern” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.