drunken
Drunken (adj) means Intoxicated with alcohol; drunk. Example: “A drunken man stumbled out of the pub singing.”
How to use drunken
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes someone or something under the influence of alcohol, or behaviour typical of that state.
"Drunken" usually describes the noun before it (a drunken man, drunken laughter), while "drunk" is more often used after a verb (he got drunk, he is drunk).
Word forms
more drunken comparative, drunkened past tense, drunkens singular, most drunken superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ man stumbled out of the pub singing.
Etymology
From Old English druncen, the past participle of drincan ("to drink") — literally "having drunk".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for drunken
See all rhymes for drunken →Frequently asked questions
What does “drunken” mean?
The word “drunken” means intoxicated with alcohol; drunk. In plain terms, describes someone or something under the influence of alcohol, or behaviour typical of that state.
How do you pronounce “drunken”?
“Drunken” is pronounced DRUHNG-kuhn (/ˈdɹʌŋkən/ in IPA).
How do you use “drunken” in a sentence?
Here is “drunken” used in a sentence: “A drunken man stumbled out of the pub singing.”
What is another word for “drunken”?
Words with a similar meaning to “drunken” include drunk.
What part of speech is “drunken”?
Depending on how it is used, “drunken” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “drunken” come from?
The word “drunken” comes from Old English. From Old English druncen, the past participle of drincan ("to drink") — literally "having drunk".
Is “drunken” a common word?
“Drunken” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “drunken” have?
“Drunken” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: intoxicated with alcohol; drunk.
What is the difference between drunk and drunken?
Drunk is generally used after a verb to describe a person's state, as in 'he was drunk,' while drunken is used before a noun to describe something associated with or caused by drunkenness, as in 'a drunken argument.' Drunken can also describe things rather than people, such as a drunken stagger or a drunken brawl.
Can drunken describe things other than people?
Yes, drunken is often used to describe actions, behavior, or events that are caused by or typical of being drunk, such as 'drunken driving' or 'a drunken celebration,' even when no single person is the direct subject.
Is drunken a formal or informal word?
Drunken is a standard descriptive adjective usable in both formal and informal writing, though it often carries a slightly literary or disapproving tone compared to the more neutral 'drunk.'