English Reference

Word

abstemious

Phoneticsab·stemious

UK/ɐbstˈiːmiəs/

Definition

adj. describing someone who eats or drinks very little, especially to stay healthy or save money. It is an old-fashioned word for being very careful with your habits.

adj. characterised by moderation in eating, drinking, or spending. Often used to describe a lifestyle of self-discipline or frugality.

Examples

“He lived an abstemious life, eating very little and spending nothing on luxury.”

“The monks followed an abstemious diet, consuming only simple grains and vegetables to maintain their spiritual discipline.”

“While the general public indulged in the feast, the king maintained an abstemious approach, mindful of the rising costs of his court's extravagant lifestyle.”

Examples

simple

“He lived an abstemious life, eating very little and spending nothing on luxury.”

contextual

“The monks followed an abstemious diet, consuming only simple grains and vegetables to maintain their spiritual discipline.”

complex

“While the general public indulged in the feast, the king maintained an abstemious approach, mindful of the rising costs of his court's extravagant lifestyle.”

Etymology

From Latin abstēmius (“abstaining from wine”); from ab, abs (“from”) + tēmus, a root of tēmētum (“intoxicating drink, especially strong mead or wine”) (possibly from Proto-Indo-European *temH- (“dark (referring to the colour of wine)”)) + -ous.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

ADJECTIVE

abstemious(C2)

ADVERB

Related words

abstainabstainerabstainmentabstentionabstinenceabstinentasceticseriousStern

This entry

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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
Frequency
Rare
Level
C2 · Proficiency
Updated

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