teetotalism
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of teetotalism
Explanation
Teetotalism is a noun, meaning staying away from alcohol. If you see someone drinking a soda at a bar, he might practice teetotalism or he might just be planning to drive himself home. Since drinking alcohol is generally an accepted practice now, the word teetotalism has fallen out of common use. You might think the groups promoting teetotalism in the United States in the 1920s succeeded when laws were passed prohibiting alcohol (effective from 1920 to 1933). However, you would be wrong, because with the Prohibition era came underground bars and homemade moonshine.
Vocabulary lists containing teetotalism
Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
2014 Vocabulary Video Contest (M-Z)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Vocab Video Contest (2016) - List 6
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But teetotalism made him a “weird kid” in the small Bavarian town where he grew up.
From Scientific American • Jul. 9, 2019
Goertz has cited Trump’s lifelong teetotalism as securing her vote.
From The Guardian • Apr. 15, 2016
Such total abstinence from alcohol is known as teetotalism.
From Textbooks • Dec. 30, 2014
Temperance societies developed a religious zeal for teetotalism.
From Slate • Jan. 15, 2014
The Bottle, employed as an argument by Mr William Cash, converted Cruikshank to teetotalism.
From George Cruikshank by Chesson, W. H.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
