Teetotal Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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teetotal

[ˈtiːˌtəʊtl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

lifestyle choice

abstaining completely from alcoholic drinks

Synonyms

abstinent, sober, temperate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
teetotal	Used when someone completely avoids alcoholic beverages. He has been teetotal since he left college. She made a commitment to a teetotal lifestyle after witnessing the negative effects of alcohol on her family.
abstinent	Generally used to describe someone who refrains from indulgence, not limited to alcohol. Can refer to abstention from various pleasures, such as food, sex, or drugs. Often carries a more formal tone. During the religious fast, she was completely abstinent from all forms of indulgence. The program encouraged an abstinent lifestyle to recover from addiction.
sober	Describes someone who is not affected by alcohol. It can also mean serious or grave in demeanor. He promised to stay sober during the company party. She gave a sober assessment of the current political situation.
temperate	Refers to moderation in all things, not just alcohol. Largely implies self-restraint and balance in behavior or consumption. His diet is temperate, allowing him to enjoy sweets in moderation. They lived a temperate life free from excesses.

Examples of usage

He has been teetotal for over a year now.
She decided to become teetotal after a bad experience with alcohol.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

person who abstains from alcohol

a person who never drinks alcohol

Synonyms

abstainer, non-drinker, temperance advocate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
teetotal	This word is mainly used to describe someone who completely abstains from all alcoholic drinks, often as a personal or moral choice. She has been teetotal since she was 20 years old. John’s teetotal lifestyle includes avoiding even social drinking.
abstainer	This term is more general and can refer to someone who abstains from any substance or activity, not just alcohol. The term doesn't specifically imply a moral stance. As an abstainer, he doesn’t smoke or drink. The conference saw both drinkers and abstainers in attendance.
non-drinker	This word is used to describe someone who does not drink alcohol. It is a neutral term and doesn’t imply any particular philosophy or reasoning. He's a non-drinker, so he opted for soda at the party. Many restaurants now cater to non-drinkers with a variety of non-alcoholic beverages.
temperance advocate	This term is often used for someone who promotes the reduction or elimination of alcohol consumption in society. It’s more formal and historically associated with temperance movements. She became a temperance advocate after witnessing the negative effects of alcohol on her community. As a temperance advocate, he gives speeches about the dangers of excessive drinking.

Examples of usage

My grandfather is a teetotal and has never had a drop of alcohol in his life.
She proudly identifies as a teetotal and encourages others to do the same.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'teetotal'

The term 'teetotal' originated in the early 19th century as a result of the temperance movement, which advocated for the total abstention from alcoholic beverages. The word is believed to have been coined by Richard Turner, a member of the Preston Temperance Society in England. The prefix 'tee-' was added for emphasis, creating the word 'teetotal' to signify complete abstinence. The teetotal movement gained popularity and spread internationally, influencing attitudes towards alcohol consumption.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,813, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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36810 spiritedly
36811 pimiento
36812 toddle
36813 teetotal
36814 gamesmanship
36815 mocker
36816 unfastening
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