stern

Everyday

1. Stern means serious and strict, not smiling, like a teacher who wants you to behave. tree →
2. The stern is the back part of a ship or boat. tree →
3. Stern can also describe a hard, serious test or warning: a stern warning. tree →

In the lessons

In stories a stern face or voice tells the reader that someone is strict or angry and expects obedience. On boats children learn stern (back) and bow (front). Phrases: a stern look, a stern warning, from stem to stern (from front to back, all of it).

Examples

• The headteacher gave us a stern look. tree →
• Grandpa's voice was stern: «Go to bed now.» tree →
• We got a stern warning about running in the corridor. tree →
• We sat at the stern of the boat. tree →
• The captain stood at the stern and steered. tree →
• She is stern but fair. tree →
• The ship was cleaned from stem to stern. tree →
• Now, Minos was a stern and pitiless king. tree →

Note

Adverb: sternly. The front of a boat is the bow; the back is the stern; left is port; right is starboard. «Stern» (strict) and «stern» (back of a boat) are spelled the same but are different words.