/ stɑːk; NAmE stɑːrk/ adjective , adverb
■ adjective ( stark·er , stark·est )
1.
(often disapproving ) looking severe and without any colour or decoration :
I think white would be too stark for the bedroom.
The hills stood stark against the winter sky.
2.
unpleasant; real, and impossible to avoid
SYN bleak :
The author paints a stark picture of life in a prison camp.
a stark choice
The remains of the building stand as a stark reminder of the fire.
He now faces the stark reality of life in prison.
➡ note at plain
3.
very different to sth in a way that is easy to see
SYN clear :
stark differences
Social divisions in the city are stark.
The good weather was in stark contrast to the storms of previous weeks.
4.
[ only before noun ] complete and total
SYN utter :
The children watched in stark terror.
► stark·ly adverb :
The interior is starkly simple.
The lighthouse stood out starkly against the dark sky.
We are starkly aware of the risks.
► stark·ness noun [ U ]
■ adverb
~ naked completely naked
•
IDIOMS
see raving
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English stearc unyielding, severe , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch sterk and German stark strong.