ENGLISH
REFERENCE

abstemiousness

n.
C1 Advanced ab·stemious·ness

n. the quality of being very careful not to eat or drink too much. It describes someone who lives a simple, healthy life without excess.

n. the quality of avoiding excess in diet, drink, or lifestyle; the practice of self-restraint.


SIMPLE

His abstemiousness helped him stay healthy for many years.

CONTEXTUAL

The monk's life of abstemiousness was marked by a strict daily routine and a diet of simple vegetables.

COMPLEX

While some viewed his abstemiousness as a virtue, others found it difficult to understand how he could maintain such a high level of productivity without any social or physical indulgences.

Origin

From abstemious + -ness.

© 2026 English Reference