abstinence
gb/ˈæbstənəns/ us/ˈæbstənəns/
C1
English
önmegtartóztatás, szexuális önmegtartóztatás, absztinencia
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
abstinence from [something]
After the holidays, she tried a month of abstinence from sweets.
Az ünnepek után megpróbált egy hónapig lemondani az édességről.
The retreat encouraged silence, meditation, and abstinence from digital distractions.
Az elvonuláson a csendet, a meditációt és a digitális zavaró tényezők kerülését ösztönözték.
Many religious traditions include periods of fasting and abstinence.
Learner examples
He chose abstinence from meat during Lent.
Nagyböjt idején úgy döntött, hogy nem eszik húst.
A week of abstinence from video games helped her study.
Az, hogy egy hétig nem játszott videójátékokkal, segített neki tanulni.
Common mistake:
Use abstinence from, not abstinence of. For not voting, the usual word is abstention.
Meaning
deliberate avoidance of something
Collocations
complete abstinence
|total abstinence
|voluntary abstinence
|temporary abstinence
|practice abstinence
|promote abstinence
|a period of abstinence
|abstinence from meat
|abstinence from social media
|fasting and abstinence
Synonyms
restraint (emphasizes self-control, not necessarily complete avoidance.)
|
self-denial (suggests refusing pleasures, often for moral or religious reasons.)
|
avoidance (more general and less focused on discipline or principle.)
|
renunciation (more formal and often suggests a permanent giving up.)
Antonyms
indulgence (doing or having what one desires instead of refusing it.)
|
consumption (eating, drinking, or using something rather than avoiding it.)
|
participation (taking part in an activity rather than refraining from it.)
Themes
self_control
|health
|lifestyle
|religion
Definition
choosing not to have or do something, often for health, moral, or religious reasons.
the deliberate practice of not doing, using, eating, or drinking something, especially something enjoyable or considered harmful.
NOUN
C1
2
Usage pattern:
abstinence; abstinence before/until [time or event]
The health class discussed abstinence as one way to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Az egészségtanórán a terhesség és a szexuális úton terjedő fertőzések elkerülésének egyik módjaként beszéltek a szexuális önmegtartóztatásról.
They chose abstinence until they felt ready for a sexual relationship.
A szexuális önmegtartóztatást választották addig, amíg készen nem állnak egy szexuális kapcsolatra.
The campaign promoted abstinence before marriage.
Learner examples
Abstinence means they are not having sex.
A szexuális önmegtartóztatás azt jelenti, hogy nem létesítenek szexuális kapcsolatot.
She chose abstinence for personal reasons.
Személyes okokból a szexuális önmegtartóztatást választotta.
Common mistake:
Abstinence means not having sex; it does not mean using contraception during sex.
Meaning
not having sex
Collocations
sexual abstinence
|practice abstinence
|promote abstinence
|teach abstinence
|abstinence before marriage
|abstinence until marriage
|abstinence education
|abstinence pledge
Synonyms
celibacy (often suggests a long-term, religious, or unmarried state of not having sex.)
|
chastity (more moral or religious in tone, and sometimes old-fashioned.)
|
sexual inactivity (more clinical and does not necessarily imply a deliberate choice.)
Antonyms
sexual activity (the general opposite: having sex or engaging in sexual behavior.)
|
intercourse (specifically sexual intercourse, rather than sexual behavior in general.)
Themes
sex_education
|health
|relationships
|religion
Definition
choosing not to have sex.
the choice or practice of not having sexual activity, often for personal, religious, health, or contraceptive reasons.
NOUN
C1
3
absztinencia
C1
Usage pattern:
abstinence from [alcohol/drugs]; maintain/achieve abstinence
After treatment, he maintained abstinence from cocaine for eighteen months.
A kezelés után tizennyolc hónapon át megőrizte a kokainnal szembeni absztinenciáját.
Some recovery groups define success as lifelong abstinence, while others focus on reducing harm.
Egyes felépülési csoportok a sikert élethosszig tartó absztinenciaként határozzák meg, míg mások inkább az ártalomcsökkentésre összpontosítanak.
Doctors advise complete abstinence from alcohol for patients with severe liver disease.
Learner examples
His goal is abstinence from drugs.
A célja a teljes drogmentesség.
She has maintained abstinence from alcohol for two years.
Két éve nem iszik alkoholt.
Common mistake:
In addiction contexts, abstinence usually means no use at all; moderation means limited use.
Meaning
not using addictive substances
Collocations
abstinence from alcohol
|drug abstinence
|maintain abstinence
|achieve abstinence
|sustained abstinence
|long-term abstinence
|lifelong abstinence
|abstinence rate
|relapse after abstinence
|abstinence-based treatment
Synonyms
sobriety (commonly used for living without alcohol or drugs; also means not being drunk.)
|
non-use (more technical and neutral, especially in research.)
|
drug-free living (more informal or advocacy-oriented.)
Antonyms
substance use (using alcohol or drugs rather than avoiding them.)
|
moderation (limited use rather than complete avoidance.)
|
relapse (returning to substance use after a period of abstinence.)
Themes
health
|addiction
|recovery
|medicine
Definition
not using alcohol or drugs at all, especially after addiction.
the state or practice of completely avoiding alcohol, drugs, or another addictive substance, especially as part of treatment or recovery.
Grammar
Dictionary form
abstinence
IPA
GB/ˈæbstənəns/
US/ˈæbstənəns/
Syllables & stress
ab - stin - ence (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ab)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: abstinence
- Plural: abstinence
Expressions
abstinence pledge
1/ˈæbstənəns plˈɛd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
promise not to have sex
a promise not to have sex, often before marriage.
Examples
- At the youth conference, some students signed an abstinence pledge.
- Years later, she said the abstinence pledge had not prepared her for a healthy relationship.
- The campaign encouraged teenagers to take an abstinence pledge.
Learner examples
- He signed an abstinence pledge.
- The pledge said they would not have sex before marriage.
abstinence-based treatment
1/ˈæbstənəns bˈeɪst tɹˈitmənt/
fixed phrase
treatment requiring non-use
addiction treatment that aims for no use at all.
Examples
- The center offers abstinence-based treatment for people with alcohol dependence.
- Some patients prefer harm-reduction services to abstinence-based treatment.
- An abstinence-based program may require regular drug testing.
Learner examples
- He entered an abstinence-based treatment program.
- The program's goal is no drug use at all.
abstinence-only education
1/ˈæbstənəns ˈoʊnli ˌɛd͡ʒəkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
sex education emphasizing abstinence
sex education that mainly tells students not to have sex.
Examples
- The district replaced abstinence-only education with a broader health curriculum.
- Critics argue that abstinence-only education leaves teenagers without practical information about contraception.
- Supporters of abstinence-only education say it reflects their community's values.
Learner examples
- Their school offered abstinence-only education.
- The new curriculum is not abstinence-only.
fasting and abstinence
1/fˈæstɪŋ ˈænd ˈæbstənəns/
fixed phrase
religious food restriction
a religious practice of eating less and not eating some foods.
Examples
- During Lent, many Christians observe days of fasting and abstinence.
- The rules on fasting and abstinence vary by tradition.
- The church published a guide to fasting and abstinence before the holiday.
Learner examples
- Friday was a day of fasting and abstinence.
- They did not eat meat during the period of abstinence.
neonatal abstinence syndrome
1/nˌioʊnˈeɪtəl ˈæbstənəns sˈɪndɹˌoʊm/
fixed phrase
technical
newborn drug withdrawal
a medical problem in a baby who has withdrawal symptoms after being exposed to drugs before birth.
Examples
- The hospital has a unit for babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
- Public health workers track cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome linked to opioid exposure during pregnancy.
- Treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome may include careful feeding, comfort measures, and medication.
Learner examples
- The baby was treated for neonatal abstinence syndrome.
total abstinence
1/tˈoʊtəl ˈæbstənəns/
fixed phrase
complete avoidance
not doing or using something at all.
Examples
- For him, total abstinence from gambling was safer than setting limits.
- The doctor recommended total abstinence from alcohol while she was taking the medication.
- The program does not demand total abstinence from every participant.
Learner examples
- She chose total abstinence from alcohol.
- Total abstinence means no use at all.