Dictionary.com

abstemious

[ ab-stee-mee-uhs ]
/ ƦbĖˆsti mi əs /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: abstemious / abstemiously / abstemiousness on Thesaurus.com
adjective
sparing or moderate in eating and drinking; temperate in diet.
characterized by abstinence: an abstemious life.
sparing: an abstemious diet.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of abstemious

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

OTHER WORDS FROM abstemious

Words nearby abstemious

absorptivity, absquatulate, ABS resin, abstain, abstainer, abstemious, abstention, abstentionism, abstergent, abstersive, abstinence
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to abstemious

abstinent, ascetic, austere, continent, frugal, moderate, restrained, self-denying, self-restrained, sober, sparing, temperate

How to use abstemious in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for abstemious

abstemious
/ (əbĖˆstiĖmÉŖəs) /
adjective
moderate or sparing, esp in the consumption of alcohol or food; temperate

Derived forms of abstemious

abstemiously, adverbabstemiousness, noun

Word Origin for abstemious

C17: from Latin abstēmius, from abs- ab- 1 + tēm-, from tēmētum intoxicating drink
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK