# abstain

> English word · Verb · IPA /əbˈsteɪn/ · frequency rank #26,318

## Definitions
1. Keep or withhold oneself.
2. Refrain from (something or doing something); keep from doing, especially an indulgence.
3. Refrain from (something or doing something); keep from doing, especially an indulgence.
4. Fast (not eat for a period).
5. Deliberately refrain from casting one's vote at a meeting where one is present.
6. Hinder; keep back; withhold.

## Etymology
First attested around 1380. From Middle English absteynen, absteinen, abstenen, from Old French astenir, abstenir, from Latin abstineō (“to hold oneself back”) from abs- (“from”) + teneō (“I hold”). See also tenable.

## Easily confused with
- **Austin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abstain-vs-austin)
- **attain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abstain-vs-attain)

## Common misspellings (10)
`abbstain`, `absatin`, `absstain`, `abstainn`, `abstani`, `abstian`, `absttain`, `abtsain`, `asbtain`, `bastain`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/abstain