# ascetic

> English word · Adjective · IPA /əˈsɛ.tɪk/ · frequency rank #36,436

## Definitions
1. Of or relating to ascetics.
2. Characterized by rigorous self-denial or self-discipline; austere; abstinent; involving a withholding of physical pleasure.

## Etymology
First use appears c. 1646. From Medieval Latin asceticus, from Ancient Greek ἀσκητικός (askētikós), from ἀσκητής (askētḗs, “monk, hermit”), from ἀσκέω (askéō, “I exercise”).

## Easily confused with
- **Asiatic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ascetic-vs-asiatic)
- **Arctic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arctic-vs-ascetic)
- **acetic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/acetic-vs-ascetic)

## Common misspellings (10)
`acsetic`, `asccetic`, `asceitc`, `ascetci`, `asceticc`, `ascettic`, `ascteic`, `asectic`, `asscetic`, `sacetic`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ascetic