Word
abstainer
Phoneticsab·stain·er
Definition
n. a person who chooses not to do something, especially something that is common or expected. You often hear this word when talking about people who do not drink alcohol or smoke.
n. a person who refrains from a particular activity or consumption, especially one that is widespread or socially expected. Often used in the context of temperance or religious observance.
Examples
“He is a strict abstainer who never drinks coffee.”
“The company hired several abstainers to lead the health and wellness initiative for the office staff.”
“While the majority of the population consumed the local wine, a small but vocal group of abstainers advocated for stricter regulations on its production and sale.”
Examples
simple
“He is a strict abstainer who never drinks coffee.”
contextual
“The company hired several abstainers to lead the health and wellness initiative for the office staff.”
complex
“While the majority of the population consumed the local wine, a small but vocal group of abstainers advocated for stricter regulations on its production and sale.”
Etymology
From Middle English absteyner, equivalent to abstain + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/abstainer