addiction
Addiction (noun) means a strong, often harmful, compulsion to keep using a substance or repeating a behavior, even when it causes problems. Example: “His addiction to alcohol cost him his job.”
How to Use Addiction
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA compulsive dependency on something that's hard to give up despite the harm it causes.
Word Forms
addictions plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ to alcohol cost him his job.
Etymology
From addict plus -ion. Ultimately from Latin addictio, originally a legal term for a court "awarding" someone as bound to another's service.
Rhymes for addiction
See all rhymes for addiction →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “addiction” mean?
The word “addiction” means a strong, often harmful, compulsion to keep using a substance or repeating a behavior, even when it causes problems. In plain terms, a compulsive dependency on something that's hard to give up despite the harm it causes.
How do you pronounce “addiction”?
“Addiction” is pronounced uh-DIHK-shuhn (/əˈdɪkˌʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “addiction” in a sentence?
Here is “addiction” used in a sentence: “His addiction to alcohol cost him his job.”
What part of speech is “addiction”?
“Addiction” is a noun.
Where does the word “addiction” come from?
The word “addiction” comes from Latin. From addict plus -ion. Ultimately from Latin addictio, originally a legal term for a court "awarding" someone as bound to another's service.
Is “addiction” a common word?
“Addiction” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
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