alcoholic
Alcoholic (noun) means a person who is addicted to alcohol. Example: “He's been a recovering alcoholic for six years.”
How to Use Alcoholic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes drinks containing alcohol, or a person addicted to alcohol.
Calling a person "an alcoholic" is a clinical/everyday term for alcohol addiction, not a casual insult — use it carefully.
Word Forms
more alcoholic comparative, alcoholics plural, most alcoholic superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He's been a recovering _____ for six years.
Etymology
From "alcohol" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-ic"; first recorded in English in 1891.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related Words
Rhymes for alcoholic
See all rhymes for alcoholic →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “alcoholic” mean?
The word “alcoholic” means a person who is addicted to alcohol. In plain terms, describes drinks containing alcohol, or a person addicted to alcohol.
How do you pronounce “alcoholic”?
“Alcoholic” is pronounced al-kuh-HOL-ihk (/ˌæl.kəˈhɔ.lɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “alcoholic” in a sentence?
Here is “alcoholic” used in a sentence: “He's been a recovering alcoholic for six years.”
What is another word for “alcoholic”?
Words with a similar meaning to “alcoholic” include distilled, fermented, inebriate, intoxicating and spirituous.
What is the opposite of “alcoholic”?
The opposite of “alcoholic” — its antonyms — are teetotaler, on the wagon, nonalcoholic, alcohol-free and virgin.
What part of speech is “alcoholic”?
Depending on how it is used, “alcoholic” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “alcoholic” come from?
The word “alcoholic” dates back to around 1891. From "alcohol" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-ic"; first recorded in English in 1891.
Is “alcoholic” a common word?
“Alcoholic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.