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
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Related words
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.
What is the difference between the noun and adjective senses of "alcoholic"?
As a noun, "alcoholic" means a person who is addicted to alcohol. As an adjective, it describes something that contains alcohol or relates to alcohol, as in "an alcoholic drink."
What is the difference between an alcoholic drink and a non-alcoholic drink?
An alcoholic drink contains alcohol, while a non-alcoholic one does not. Drinks labelled "alcohol-free" or "virgin" are made without alcohol.
What is the difference between an "alcoholic" and a "heavy drinker"?
An alcoholic is dependent on or addicted to alcohol, whereas a heavy drinker consumes a large amount but is not necessarily addicted. The key distinction is dependence rather than quantity alone.
Is it respectful to call someone an "alcoholic"?
The word is widely used, but many people now prefer person-first language such as "a person with alcohol use disorder." In sensitive or clinical settings, the person-first phrasing is often considered more respectful.
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