adjective
Uncommon
addictive
uh-DIHK-tihv
Addictive (adjective) means causing a strong dependency, so that a person finds it hard to stop. Example: “Nicotine is highly addictive.”
adjective
1
Causing a strong dependency, so that a person finds it hard to stop.
"Nicotine is highly addictive."
"Some games are designed with addictive reward loops to keep players hooked."
2
So enjoyable that one keeps wanting more of it.
"This show is addictive — I watched all ten episodes in one night."
"The song has an addictive chorus that gets stuck in your head."
How to use addictive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that makes you want to keep coming back, whether a drug or just a compelling habit.
Common pairings
highly addictive
addictive game
addictive substance
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Word forms
- Plural
- addictives
- Comparative
- more addictive
- Superlative
- most addictive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Nicotine is highly _____.
Etymology
First recorded in the early twentieth century, alongside the modern sense of "addiction," which had earlier been used mainly of opium.
Class of 1900
addictive joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for addictive
See all rhymes for addictive →Frequently asked questions
What does “addictive” mean?
The word “addictive” means causing a strong dependency, so that a person finds it hard to stop. In plain terms, something that makes you want to keep coming back, whether a drug or just a compelling habit.
How do you pronounce “addictive”?
“Addictive” is pronounced uh-DIHK-tihv (/əˈdɪktɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “addictive” in a sentence?
Here is “addictive” used in a sentence: “Nicotine is highly addictive.”
What is another word for “addictive”?
Words with a similar meaning to “addictive” include habit-forming and moreish.
What is the opposite of “addictive”?
The opposite of “addictive” — its antonyms — is nonaddictive.
What part of speech is “addictive”?
“Addictive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “addictive” come from?
The word “addictive” dates back to around 1900. First recorded in the early twentieth century, alongside the modern sense of "addiction," which had earlier been used mainly of opium.
Is “addictive” a common word?
“Addictive” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Does "addictive" always have a negative meaning?
Not necessarily. One sense of "addictive" describes something that causes strong dependency and is hard to stop, such as an addictive substance, but the word also has a lighter sense meaning simply "so enjoyable that one keeps wanting more," as in an addictive game or show.
What is the difference between an addictive game and an addictive drug?
An addictive drug causes a strong dependency that makes it genuinely hard for a person to stop using it. An addictive game, by contrast, is usually described this way informally, meaning it's so enjoyable someone keeps wanting to play more, without implying real dependency.
Can "addictive" be used to describe food?
Yes, "addictive" is commonly used informally to describe food that is so enjoyable someone keeps wanting more of it, matching the lighter, non-dependency sense of the word.
