What does teetotaler mean?
Teetotaler is a noun meaning a person who abstains from alcoholic drinks, usually as a deliberate and continuing choice. It commonly suggests more than simply avoiding alcohol on a particular occasion: a teetotaler may abstain because of personal principles, religious beliefs, health reasons, or involvement with a temperance movement. The word is used in everyday conversation, historical writing, biographies, and discussions about alcohol policy. In British and American English, 'teetotaler' is the usual spelling, while 'teetotaller' is also widely used in Britain. The term became especially prominent during nineteenth-century campaigns against alcohol consumption, when advocates promoted complete abstinence as a social and moral principle. Today it remains a useful and distinctive word for someone whose non-drinking is intentional and enduring.
nounA person who abstains from consuming alcoholic drinks, especially as a deliberate choice or principle.
- A person who abstains from drinking alcoholic beverages.
"She has been a teetotaler since childhood."
"Her grandfather was a committed teetotaler and never kept alcohol at home."
"The local teetotaler society organized a series of community events during the temperance campaign."
The standard plural is 'teetotalers'; 'teetotallers' is the corresponding British spelling variant.
"The group includes teetotalers from many different backgrounds."
A teetotaler is not merely someone who skips a drink; the word suggests a deliberate commitment to avoiding alcohol, often for moral, religious, health, or temperance reasons.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does teetotaler come from?
The word comes from 'teetotal', a specialized alteration of 'total' that was used for complete abstinence from alcohol. The expression developed in the context of the temperance movement, with 'teetotal' becoming an emphatic form suggesting 'totally' abstinent. The underlying English word 'total' belongs to the Latin family of totalis, meaning 'entire' or 'whole', and 'teetotaler' was formed by adding '-er' to the adjective. The alternative British spelling 'teetotaller' reflects the same historical word with doubled final consonant.
How teetotaler is actually used
Teetotaler is primarily a noun and is often used to suggest an established or principled practice of abstinence rather than a temporary preference not to drink. The spelling 'teetotaller' is also common in British English.