noun

opiate

OH-pee-uht

Opiate (noun) means a drug derived from opium, used medically to relieve pain or induce sleep. Example: “Doctors prescribe opiates cautiously because of the risk of addiction.”

noun

A drug derived from opium, used medically to relieve pain or induce sleep.

"Doctors prescribe opiates cautiously because of the risk of addiction."

Something that dulls awareness or creates a false sense of calm or contentment.

"He called television "the opiate of the masses.""

adjective

Causing sleepiness or numbing sensation, like opium.

"The opiate effects of the medication made her drowsy all afternoon."

How to use opiate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA pain-relieving, sedating drug related to opium, or figuratively anything that numbs people into a false sense of ease.

Common mistake

"Opiate" strictly refers to natural opium derivatives (like morphine and codeine); "opioid" is the broader term including synthetic drugs, though the two are often used loosely as synonyms.

Easily confused with

opioid

Word forms

opiated past tense, opiates plural, opiates singular

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Doctors prescribe _____ cautiously because of the risk of addiction.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin opiatus, ultimately from opium.

Origin: Medieval Latin

Rhymes for opiate

ate date rate mate fate abate slate plate state grate create update

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Frequently asked questions

What does “opiate” mean?

The word “opiate” means a drug derived from opium, used medically to relieve pain or induce sleep. In plain terms, a pain-relieving, sedating drug related to opium, or figuratively anything that numbs people into a false sense of ease.

How do you pronounce “opiate”?

“Opiate” is pronounced OH-pee-uht (/ˈəʊpi.ət/ in IPA).

How do you use “opiate” in a sentence?

Here is “opiate” used in a sentence: “Doctors prescribe opiates cautiously because of the risk of addiction.”

What part of speech is “opiate”?

Depending on how it is used, “opiate” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “opiate” come from?

The word “opiate” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin opiatus, ultimately from opium.

How many meanings does “opiate” have?

“Opiate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a drug derived from opium, used medically to relieve pain or induce sleep.