temperance

/ˈtempərəns/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɛmpɚəns] /ˈtempərəns/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɛmpɚəns] /ˈtem-p(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce temperance (audio) -pərn(t)s/ (ame, mw)

temperance — noun

1. the habit of keeping your desires, emotions, and actions within reasonable limit

1.名詞C1
釋義

the habit of keeping your desires, emotions, and actions within reasonable limits, so that you do not eat, drink, or behave in an extreme way.

例句

Erik decided to practise temperance and cut back on sweets and fried food.

collocation: practise temperance

Padma believes that temperance in work, play, and rest leads to better health.

phrase: temperance in all things

同義詞
  • moderation

    broader and more common in everyday use; temperance carries a stronger moral tone

  • restraint

    emphasises holding back in a specific situation rather than a general habit

  • self-discipline

    focuses on the inner effort needed to control behaviour over time

  • self-control

    more general; can refer to a single act or a lasting trait

反義詞
  • excess

    the opposite of keeping within reasonable limits

  • indulgence

    giving in freely to desires rather than restraining them

  • gluttony

    specifically excessive eating or drinking

用法筆記

Frequently occurs with the verbs practise, show, or exercise. Common in philosophical and moral discussions about virtue.

常見錯誤

❌I need temperance for losing weight.
✅I need to practise temperance to lose weight.
💡temperance is a noun; use it with verbs like practise, show, or exercise.
❌She used temperance to stop eating sugar.
✅She showed temperance by cutting back on sugar.
💡use/show temperance is the natural collocation, not use temperance.

2. the decision to avoid alcoholic drinks, usually based on the view that drinking

2.名詞C1
釋義

the decision to avoid alcoholic drinks, usually based on the view that drinking is harmful or conflicts with one's personal values or faith.

例句

Femi chose temperance years ago and now only drinks water or juice at parties.

collocation: choose temperance

Adina's church teaches that temperance shows respect for one's body and mind.

同義詞
  • abstinence

    broader — can apply to any behaviour or substance; temperance is specific to alcohol in this sense

  • teetotalism

    the exact same meaning but more informal and less common

  • sobriety

    focuses on the state of being sober rather than the choice to avoid alcohol

反義詞
  • drunkenness

    the state of being drunk, opposite of sobriety

  • intemperance

    the lack of restraint, especially with alcohol

用法筆記

Strongly associated with 19th- and early 20th-century social reform movements. May sound old-fashioned in casual conversation; teetotal or alcohol-free are more common in everyday modern English.

常見錯誤

❌He drinks temperance.
✅He practises temperance.
💡temperance is the habit of not drinking, not a type of drink.
❌Temperance means you cannot drink alcohol.
✅Temperance is the personal choice not to drink alcohol.
💡temperance describes a voluntary practice, not an external rule.