abstain
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to choose not to do something that is usually considered enjoyable but perhaps unhealthy or wrong.
to deliberately refrain from an action or practice, particularly one involving physical indulgence or habit.
Simple“He decided to abstain from chocolate for a month to improve his health.”
In context“During the religious festival, many observers abstain from meat and dairy products as a sign of devotion and self-discipline.”
UsageAlways takes the preposition 'from' followed by a noun or gerund.
PitfallHe abstained to drink alcohol. He abstained from drinking alcohol.The verb 'abstain' is followed by the preposition 'from' and a gerund, not an infinitive.
- 02 C1 Advanced
to choose not to vote for or against something in a formal meeting or election.
to formally decline to cast a vote for or against a specific motion or candidate.
Simple“Three members of the committee chose to abstain rather than support the new rule.”
In context“The resolution passed with ten votes in favour, two against, and four members choosing to abstain due to a conflict of interest.”
UsageOften used as a standalone intransitive verb in parliamentary contexts.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
to keep yourself away from something or to hold something back.
to withhold or keep back; in modern usage, this is almost exclusively reflexive or archaic.
Simple“The knight was told to abstain himself from the temptations of the forest.”
In context“In the ancient text, the protagonist is warned to abstain his hand from the forbidden fruit lest he face dire consequences.”
Teacher's tipThis transitive or reflexive use is rare in modern English; learners will mostly encounter it in historical literature.
“Federal court minutes show Muehl could remain out of custody pending his sentencing, and he was ordered to abstain from alcohol or marijuana.”
“Yana Iskayeva/Moment via Getty Images For some, abstaining from alcohol can subsequently increase compulsive drinking .”
First attested around 1380. From Middle English absteynen, absteinen, abstenen, from Old French astenir, abstenir, from Latin abstineō (“to hold oneself back”) from abs- (“from”) + teneō (“I hold”). See also tenable.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.