What does ascetically mean?
'Ascetically' is an adverb describing behaviour marked by rigorous self-denial and abstention from indulgence, most often practised for religious or spiritual ends. To live ascetically is to deliberately forgo comforts — fine food, wealth, physical ease — in pursuit of discipline or inner growth, a way of life long associated with monks, hermits, and mystics across many traditions. By extension, the word can describe anything strikingly plain or austere: an ascetically furnished room or an ascetically simple diet. It derives ultimately from the Greek 'askēsis', meaning training or exercise, the same root that gives us 'ascetic' and 'asceticism'. The adverb is formal in tone and appears chiefly in literary, historical, and philosophical writing rather than casual conversation. A useful point of caution: despite its visual similarity to 'aesthetically', which concerns beauty, 'ascetically' concerns renunciation — confusing the two produces a comically inverted meaning.
adverbIn an ascetic manner; with severe self-discipline and abstention from indulgence, typically for religious or spiritual reasons.
- In a manner characterized by severe self-discipline and abstinence from indulgence, especially for religious or spiritual purposes.
- (By extension) In a starkly plain or austere way, as of a lifestyle or surroundings, without necessarily any religious motivation.
"He lived ascetically, owning nothing but a robe, a bowl, and a single blanket."
"The monks lived ascetically, rising before dawn and eating only once a day."
"Her apartment was furnished almost ascetically — a mattress on the floor, a single chair, and bare white walls."
Despite its spelling, 'ascetically' has nothing to do with aesthetics — one word is about denying pleasure, the other about pursuing beauty.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ascetically
'Ascetically' derives from 'ascetic', which comes from the Greek 'askētikos', meaning 'of one who trains or exercises', itself from 'askēsis' — exercise or training, originally athletic, later applied to spiritual self-discipline. The Greek root passed into Latin as 'asceta' before entering English in the early modern period; the same Greek root also underlies the word 'exercise'. The adverb formed regularly with the '-ally' suffix, and its relatives include 'ascetical' and 'asceticism'.
Related word forms
How ascetically is actually used
Formal to literary in register; rare in everyday speech but common in writing about religion, philosophy, and minimalist lifestyles. When applied to non-religious contexts (interiors, diets, habits), it carries a connotation of deliberate simplicity rather than deprivation.
Easily confused with ascetically
'Ascetically' relates to strict self-denial and discipline, while 'aesthetically' relates to beauty and artistic appearance — the two words look similar but mean entirely different things.