addictive

[ uh-dik-tiv ]

adjective

1. ad·dict·ing []. producing or tending to cause addiction:

   an addictive drug.

2. more than normally susceptible to addiction:

   an addictive personality.

addictive

/ əˈdɪktɪv /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or causing addiction

Derived Forms

• adˈdictiveness, noun

Other Words From

• ad·dic·tive·ness noun
• non·ad·dic·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of addictive¹

First recorded in 1935–40; addict + -ive

Example Sentences

While very effective at blocking pain, they are also addictive and can cause devastating dependency.

From Science Daily

Your choice of squeeze-bottle sauce is added inside, followed by the hot dog, which evenly distributes the sauce, creating a wildly addictive and affordable meal at roughly $3 to $4 apiece.

From Salon

What in the aggregate would have been a way of following the story, keeping abreast of events, doing my part as a well-informed citizen tipped over into addictive, unhealthy behavior.

From Los Angeles Times

In these cases, the claim is that social media was designed to be addictive and does not have adequate protections for children.

From BBC

"Most of my guys say it’s very addictive and they keep coming back to top it off."

From Salon

Related Words

• obsessive