teetotaler

noun

tee·to·tal·er | \ ˈtē-ˈtō-tᵊl-ər

, -ˌtō-\

variants: or teetotaller

Definition of teetotaler

: one who practices or advocates teetotalism

Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about teetotaler

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Synonyms & Antonyms for teetotaler

Synonyms

abstainer, nondrinker, teetotalist

Antonyms

bibber, drinker

Did You Know?

A person who abstains from alcohol might choose tea as his or her alternative beverage, but the word teetotaler has nothing to do with tea. More likely, the "tee" that begins the word teetotal is a reduplication of the letter "t" that begins total, emphasizing that one has pledged total abstinence. In the early 1800s, ''tee-total'' and ''tee-totally'' were used to intensify ''total'' and ''totally'' much the way we now might say, ''I'm tired with a capital T.'' ''I am now … wholly, solely, and teetotally absorbed in Wayne's business,'' wrote the folklorist Parson Weems in an 1807 letter. Teetotal and teetotaler first appeared with their current meanings in 1834, eight years after the formation of the American Temperance Society.

Examples of teetotaler in a Sentence

in a quandary about what to serve for the wedding toast since his future in-laws are teetotalers

Recent Examples on the Web

Dry January, an annual event challenging people to give up alcohol for a month, first started as a U.K. public health campaign in 2013, but has since found a worldwide following among temporary teetotalers. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "What It's Really Like to Give Up Alcohol, According to 5 Women Doing It Right Now," 24 Jan. 2019 Like his grandson, Friedrich was a teetotaler and avoided his military service. — Katrin Bennhold, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump’s ancestral village abounds with his relatives. Few will admit it," 3 July 2018 Like his grandson, Friedrich was a teetotaler and avoided his military service. — Katrin Bennhold, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump’s ancestral village abounds with his relatives. Few will admit it," 3 July 2018 Like his grandson, Friedrich was a teetotaler and avoided his military service. — Katrin Bennhold, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump’s ancestral village abounds with his relatives. Few will admit it," 3 July 2018 Like his grandson, Friedrich was a teetotaler and avoided his military service. — Katrin Bennhold, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump’s ancestral village abounds with his relatives. Few will admit it," 3 July 2018 Kids and teetotalers can opt for mystic portal punch, which has lemon-lime and tangerine flavors with Powerade Mountain Berry Blast. — Dewayne Bevil, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Disney: Comfort food fills Woody's Lunch Box at Toy Story Land," 28 June 2018 Like his grandson, Friedrich was a teetotaler and avoided his military service. — Katrin Bennhold, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump’s ancestral village abounds with his relatives. Few will admit it," 3 July 2018 Like his grandson, Friedrich was a teetotaler and avoided his military service. — Katrin Bennhold, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump’s ancestral village abounds with his relatives. Few will admit it," 3 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'teetotaler.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for teetotaler

teetotaler

noun

English Language Learners Definition of teetotaler

: someone who never drinks alcohol

See the full definition for teetotaler in the English Language Learners Dictionary

teetotaler

Definition of teetotaler

Synonyms & Antonyms for teetotaler

Did You Know?

Examples of teetotaler in a Sentence

First Known Use of teetotaler

English Language Learners Definition of teetotaler

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