alcoholism
AL-kuh-ho-lih-zuhm
Alcoholism (noun) means a chronic condition caused by compulsive drinking, leading to physical dependence and damage to health and daily life. Example: “Alcoholism runs in his family.”
noun
1
A chronic condition caused by compulsive drinking, leading to physical dependence and damage to health and daily life.
"Alcoholism runs in his family."
"The clinic specializes in treating alcoholism and other addictions."
How to use alcoholism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe medical term for addiction to alcohol.
Common pairings
battle alcoholism
chronic alcoholism
treatment for alcoholism
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Word forms
- Plural
- alcoholisms
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_____ runs in his family.
Etymology
From "alcohol" plus "-ism"; the term was coined in 1849 by the Swedish physician Magnus Huss.
Class of 1849
alcoholism joined the language around 1849.
See the full Class of 1849 →
Synonyms
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Rhymes for alcoholism
See all rhymes for alcoholism →Frequently asked questions
What does “alcoholism” mean?
The word “alcoholism” means a chronic condition caused by compulsive drinking, leading to physical dependence and damage to health and daily life. In plain terms, the medical term for addiction to alcohol.
How do you pronounce “alcoholism”?
“Alcoholism” is pronounced AL-kuh-ho-lih-zuhm (/ˈælkə(ˌ)hɔˌlɪzəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “alcoholism” in a sentence?
Here is “alcoholism” used in a sentence: “Alcoholism runs in his family.”
What part of speech is “alcoholism”?
“Alcoholism” is a noun.
Where does the word “alcoholism” come from?
The word “alcoholism” dates back to around 1849 and comes from Swedish. From "alcohol" plus "-ism"; the term was coined in 1849 by the Swedish physician Magnus Huss.
Is “alcoholism” a common word?
“Alcoholism” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
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