teetotaler

or tee·to·tal·ist

[ tee-toht-ler, tee-toht- ]

/ tiˈtoʊt lər, ˈtiˌtoʊt- /

|

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR teetotaler ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who abstains totally from intoxicating drink.

RELATED WORDS

abstainer, abstinent, prohibitionist

Nearby words

teething, teething ring, teething troubles, teethridge, teetotal, teetotaler, teetotalism, teetotum, teevee, tef, teff

Also especially British, tee·to·tal·ler.

Origin of teetotaler

First recorded in 1825–35; teetotal + -er¹

Related formsnon·tee·to·tal·er, nounnon·tee·to·tal·ist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for teetotaler

One friend indicates that Mr. Polanski is almost a teetotaler.
The Lost Polanski Transcripts|Marcia Clark|October 2, 2009|DAILY BEAST
He is neither a vegetarian nor a teetotaler, though the main stock of his daily meals is fruit and vegetables.
The Strand Magazine, Volume VII, Issue 40, April, 1894|Various
He would be a teetotaler for a while and the champion of the cause; then he would change to the other side for a time.
Chapters from My Autobiography|Mark Twain
He was a teetotaler and took an active interest in local affairs.
The Criminal & the Community|James Devon

It was not that Abner delighted in the fruit of the vine nor the essence of the maize; he was a teetotaler.
Scattergood Baines|Clarence Budington Kelland
In fact, he was even a teetotaler sometimes —when it was judicious to be one.
The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)

Word Origin and History for teetotaler

teetotaler

n.

also teetotaller; agent noun from teetotal (q.v.).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper