abstinence

CEFRC2

/ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/

noun

Türkçe translations

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In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    The practice of deliberately avoiding a particular pleasure or activity.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.

Examples

  • No one has the right to preach abstinence.

  • The church teaches abstinence before marriage.

At a glance

Sits at C2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
4
Synonyms
3

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism).

  2. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage.

  3. Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance.

More examples

In context

  • Abstinence is the only 100% guaranteed contraception.

  • For quotations using this term, see Citations:abstinence.

  • Near-synonyms: abstentiousness, abstemiousness

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The doctor recommended complete blank from alcohol for one month.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English abstinence, from Old French abstinence, from Latin abstinentia, from abstinēns, present participle of abstineō (“to withhold”). Equivalent to abstain + -ence.