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

But he says it sometimes seems difficult for people to accept he's teetotal.

From BBC

Griffith’s teetotaling ways might have been mainstream in the 1920s, but following Prohibition’s repeal in December 1933, they made him an anachronism among baseball owners.

From Washington Post

The instinctive caution of Mr Sunak, scrupulously careful on camera, a disciplined, teetotal man of faith.

From BBC

This year, more demand for sober revelry has led some bars and restaurants to offer teetotaling alternatives to the festivities, as well as a greater focus on Irish food and music.

From New York Times

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

From BBC