drunk
druhngk
Drunk (adj) means Impaired by drinking too much alcohol. Example: “He was too drunk to drive home safely.”
adj
1
Impaired by drinking too much alcohol.
"He was too drunk to drive home safely."
"She got drunk celebrating her promotion."
"He was so drunk that he fell asleep on the bus."
noun
1
A person who is intoxicated with alcohol, or who drinks habitually.
"The bar had to eject a rowdy drunk near closing time."
"A drunk was singing loudly outside the station."
"The old man was known as the village drunk."
How to use drunk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing under the strong influence of alcohol; also used as a noun for someone in that state or who drinks heavily.
When to use it
The noun use can be blunt or unkind — "an alcoholic" or "a heavy drinker" is more neutral.
Common pairings
drunk driving
blind drunk
get drunk
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Word forms
- Plural
- drunks
- Comparative
- drunker, more drunk
- Superlative
- drunkest, most drunk
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was too _____ to drive home safely.
Etymology
The past participle of "drink," from Old English druncen — the same root behind "drunken."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for drunk
See all rhymes for drunk →Frequently asked questions
What does “drunk” mean?
The word “drunk” means impaired by drinking too much alcohol. In plain terms, being under the strong influence of alcohol; also used as a noun for someone in that state or who drinks heavily.
How do you pronounce “drunk”?
“Drunk” is pronounced druhngk (/dɹʌŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “drunk” in a sentence?
Here is “drunk” used in a sentence: “He was too drunk to drive home safely.”
What is another word for “drunk”?
Words with a similar meaning to “drunk” include Adrian Quist, adrip, aled up, all mops and brooms, arseholed and a sheet in the wind.
What is the opposite of “drunk”?
The opposite of “drunk” — its antonyms — are abstemious, clean, clearheaded, sober and on the wagon.
What part of speech is “drunk”?
Depending on how it is used, “drunk” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “drunk” come from?
The word “drunk” comes from Old English. The past participle of "drink," from Old English druncen — the same root behind "drunken.".
Is “drunk” a common word?
“Drunk” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between drunk and drank?
"Drank" is the simple past tense of "drink" — "she drank the water." "Drunk" is the past participle, used with "have" — "she has drunk the water" — and also works as an adjective meaning impaired by alcohol: "he was drunk." Saying "I drunk it" is a common but nonstandard mistake.
Is drunk a formal or informal word?
"Drunk" is a plain, direct, everyday word rather than a formal one. In formal, legal, or medical writing you will more often see "intoxicated" or "under the influence." Everyday speech offers many casual alternatives too, such as "tipsy" for mildly affected. "Drunk" sits comfortably in the neutral middle.
What is the difference between drunk and tipsy?
Both describe the effects of alcohol, but they differ in degree. "Tipsy" suggests a mild, early stage — slightly light-headed or giddy after a drink or two. "Drunk" describes a stronger state, where speech, balance, and judgement are noticeably impaired. Tipsy is the gentler, more light-hearted of the two.
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