abstemious

[ ab-stee-mee-uhs ]

adjective

1. sparing or moderate in eating and drinking; temperate in diet.
2. characterized by abstinence:

   an abstemious life.

3. sparing:

   an abstemious diet.

abstemious

/ əbˈstiːmɪəs /

adjective

1. moderate or sparing, esp in the consumption of alcohol or food; temperate

Derived Forms

• abˈstemiously, adverb
• abˈstemiousness, noun

Other Words From

• ab·stemi·ous·ly adverb
• ab·stemi·ous·ness noun
• nonab·stemi·ous adjective
• nonab·stemi·ous·ly adverb
• nonab·stemi·ous·ness noun
• over·ab·stemi·ous adjective
• over·ab·stemi·ous·ly adverb
• over·ab·stemi·ous·ness noun
• unab·stemi·ous adjective
• unab·stemi·ous·ly adverb
• unab·stemi·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstemious¹

1615–25; < Latin abstēmius, equivalent to abs- abs- + tēm- (base of tēmētum intoxicating drink) + -ius -ious

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstemious¹

C17: from Latin abstēmius, from abs- ab- ¹+ tēm-, from tēmētum intoxicating drink

Example Sentences

He quit smoking weed years ago, gave up drinking, and today lives a fairly abstemious life.

From The Daily Beast

Deviled eggs are a cocktail-party staple and are magnetic in their ability to attract even abstemious guests.

From The Daily Beast

Mr. Balfour, being an abstemious man, would not submit to the latter alternative, but consented to tell a story.

From Project Gutenberg

Masters of prisons,” he rejoined, “who keep shop, have a natural horror of an abstemious captive.

From Project Gutenberg

I think I have retained the vigor of my mind more, in consequence of an abstemious diet.

From Project Gutenberg

After a few years, he ventured to change his abstemious diet for one more rich and stimulating.

From Project Gutenberg

Many a person, who wishes to be abstemious, seems to think that if he only abstains from flesh and fish, that is enough.

From Project Gutenberg