alcoholic

[ al-kuh-haw-lik, -hol-ik ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of alcohol:

   The fermented milk has a mildly alcoholic flavor.

2. containing or using alcohol:

   The bar serves beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages.

3. caused by alcohol:

   alcoholic fermentation.

4. of or like a person with alcoholism or alcohol use disorder:

   She hadn’t seen or spoken to her alcoholic aunt in over a decade.

5. preserved in alcohol:

   Tissue shrinking in alcoholic specimens did not affect nuclear composition.

noun

1. Sometimes Offensive. a person with alcoholism or alcohol use disorder; a person addicted to intoxicating drinks: Prescription medications are available to help alcoholics get sober and stay that way.

   He’s a self-described alcoholic.

   Prescription medications are available to help alcoholics get sober and stay that way.

alcoholic

/ ˌælkəˈhɒlɪk /

noun

1. a person affected by alcoholism

adjective

1. of, relating to, containing, or resulting from alcohol

Sensitive Note

See addict.

Other Words From

• al·co·hol·i·cal·ly adverb
• sem·i·al·co·hol·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alcoholic¹

First recorded in 1780–90; alcohol + -ic

Synonym Study

See inebriate.

Example Sentences

Ms. Jones, 19, had been hospitalized last week after consuming an alcoholic drink in Laos, said Col.

From New York Times

And we used a cream for the hands, which was slightly different to the face, which was in an alcoholic airbrush sort of material.

From Los Angeles Times

Unlike ethanol, the key component of alcoholic beverages, methanol is toxic to humans.

From BBC

In 2012, Washington starred in “Flight,” a film about an alcoholic airline pilot whose drinking habits are thrust into the spotlight after a miraculous emergency landing renders him a hero.

From Los Angeles Times

Her team decided to try low-dose sodium oxybate, after some patients told them their symptoms improved after a few alcoholic drinks.

From BBC

Related Words

• drunk
• substance abuser