teetotal

American  

[tee-toht-l, tee-toht-l] / tiˈtoʊt l, ˈtiˌtoʊt l /

adjective

1. of or relating to, advocating, or pledged to total abstinence from intoxicating drink.

2. Informal. absolute; complete.

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verb (used without object)

teetotaled, teetotaling, teetotalled, teetotalling

1. to practice teetotalism.

teetotal British  

/ tiːˈtəʊtəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or practising abstinence from alcoholic drink

2. dialect complete

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Other Word Forms

• teetotalism noun
• teetotaller noun
• teetotally adverb

Etymology

Origin of teetotal

Reduplicated variant of total, coined by R. Turner, of Preston, England, in 1833, in a speech advocating total abstinence from alcoholic drinks

Example Sentences

Zero-alcohol beers helped drive sales last year, the company said, as the teetotal portfolio, led by Corona Cero, surged 34% on year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

The irony is that David has actually been teetotal for two years.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2023

Unlike those moguls, he’s a buff, teetotal vegan with spartan tastes.

From The Guardian • Feb. 27, 2021

For quite a few people, this teetotal millennial - he had his 40th birthday during lockdown - has appeared to be a reassuringly steady hand at the tiller.

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2020

And I’ve been strict teetotal practically ever since I’ve been working with Lawless.

From Grit Lawless by Young, F.E. Mills