noun

teetotaler

TEE-toh-tuh-ler

Quiz me More like this

Teetotaler (noun) means a person who never drinks alcohol at all, as a matter of principle or personal choice. Example: “She has been a teetotaler since her twenties and always drives everyone home.”

noun

A person who never drinks alcohol at all, as a matter of principle or personal choice.

"She has been a teetotaler since her twenties and always drives everyone home."

"There was a jug of lemonade on the table for the teetotalers."

How to use teetotaler

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who doesn't drink any alcohol.

When to use it

Neutral and slightly old-fashioned. British English spells it teetotaller, with two l's; American English uses one.

Memory tip

A teetotaler chooses never to drink; someone who is simply sober tonight is not a teetotaler.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

sober → abstemious → designated driver

Common pairings

a lifelong teetotaler a strict teetotaler raised a teetotaler

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like teetotaler.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “teetotaler” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She has been a _____ since her twenties and always drives everyone home.

Etymology

From total, with the initial t reduplicated for emphasis (tee-total), a formation that arose in the temperance movement of the early 19th century.

Origin: English

Synonyms

View more →

abstainer nondrinker temperance advocate teetotalist teetotaller

Antonyms

drinker tippler

Related words

pub alcoholic addict Drinker abstainer nondrinker teetotaller tippler

Rhymes for teetotaler

whaler dealer healer inhaler squealer wholesaler

See all rhymes for teetotaler →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a teetotaler and someone who is sober?

A teetotaler is a person who never drinks alcohol as a standing habit or principle, whether or not they ever had a problem with it. Sober describes a state — not currently under the influence — and is also used of someone in recovery from alcohol dependence. Every teetotaler is sober, but not everyone who is sober is a teetotaler.

Is it spelled teetotaler or teetotaller?

Both are correct. Teetotaler with one l is standard in American English, and teetotaller with two l's is standard in British and Australian English.

Does teetotal have anything to do with tea?

No. Despite the popular story about drinking tea instead of beer, the word comes from repeating the t of total for emphasis — tee-total, meaning totally abstaining. The tea spelling is a coincidence.

What is the meaning of teetotaler?

"teetotaler" (noun) means a person who never drinks alcohol at all, as a matter of principle or personal choice.

People also searched

pub alcoholic addict Drinker abstainer nondrinker teetotaller tippler