# abstemiousness

CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abstemiousness
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

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

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

## Examples

- His abstemiousness helped him stay healthy for many years.
- The monk's life of abstemiousness was marked by a strict daily routine and a diet of simple vegetables.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.