addict
3 antonyms and opposites of addict, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A person who is dependent on a harmful substance and cannot easily stop using it.
Antonyms
How to use addict
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
The casual sense ("chocolate addict," "gym addict") is informal and much lighter than the clinical meaning.
Etymology
From Latin addictus, past participle of addicere, "to award or bind someone to something" — originally a legal term for a court assigning a person to another's service.
Full origin of addict →Frequently asked questions
What does “addict” mean?
The word “addict” means a person who is dependent on a harmful substance and cannot easily stop using it. In plain terms, someone who is dependent on a substance, or, loosely, someone with an intense enthusiasm for something.
How do you pronounce “addict”?
“Addict” is pronounced AD-ihkt (/ˈæd.ɪkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “addict” in a sentence?
Here is “addict” used in a sentence: “The clinic offers support for recovering addicts.”
What is another word for “addict”?
Words with a similar meaning to “addict” include abuser, fiend, wastoid, consecrate, dedicate and devote.
What is the opposite of “addict”?
The opposite of “addict” — its antonyms — are abstainer, mainstreamer and nonaddict.
What part of speech is “addict”?
Depending on how it is used, “addict” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “addict” come from?
The word “addict” comes from Latin. From Latin addictus, past participle of addicere, "to award or bind someone to something" — originally a legal term for a court assigning a person to another's service.
Is “addict” a common word?
“Addict” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between an addict and someone who is addicted?
Addict is a noun referring to a person dependent on a harmful substance or, informally, someone with a strong enthusiasm for something, such as a "chocolate addict." Addicted is the adjective describing the state of being dependent, as in "he is addicted to the substance."
Is calling someone an addict considered informal or clinical?
When addict refers to substance dependence it can sound blunt or informal, and many clinical and public health contexts now prefer phrases like "person with an addiction." The informal sense, describing strong enthusiasm for a hobby or activity, is casual and non-clinical.
Can addict be used as a verb as well as a noun?
Yes, addict can function as a verb meaning to cause someone to become dependent on something, or to become dependent oneself, though the noun form is far more common in everyday use. The verb form appears mainly in more formal or explanatory writing.