noun
alcoholic
al-kuh-HOL-ihk
noun
1
A person who is addicted to alcohol.
"He's been a recovering alcoholic for six years."
adj
1
Containing alcohol, or relating to alcohol.
"The bar offers both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails."
How to Use Alcoholic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes drinks containing alcohol, or a person addicted to alcohol.
When to use it
Calling a person "an alcoholic" is a clinical/everyday term for alcohol addiction, not a casual insult — use it carefully.
Common pairings
alcoholic beverage
recovering alcoholic
alcoholic drink
Word Forms
more alcoholic comparative, alcoholics plural, most alcoholic superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “alcoholic”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
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.