English Reference

Word

abstentious

Phoneticsab·sten·tious

Definition

adj. describing someone who avoids doing something they might enjoy, often for religious or health reasons. You use this to talk about people who choose not to have sex or to eat less.

adj. characterised by the practice of self-restraint or the avoidance of indulgence in pleasures, particularly sexual or culinary ones. Often used in the context of religious vows or medical advice.

Examples

“He lived an abstentious life to follow his religious beliefs.”

“The doctor recommended an abstentious diet for the patient to help lower his blood pressure.”

“The monk's abstentious lifestyle was a stark contrast to the hedonistic habits of the court, where luxury and excess were the norm.”

Examples

simple

“He lived an abstentious life to follow his religious beliefs.”

contextual

“The doctor recommended an abstentious diet for the patient to help lower his blood pressure.”

complex

“The monk's abstentious lifestyle was a stark contrast to the hedonistic habits of the court, where luxury and excess were the norm.”

Etymology

From abstention + -ous.

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

Word family

ADJECTIVE

abstentious(C1)

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.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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English Reference