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

A nurse who was caught drinking at work and offering alcoholic drinks to her colleagues has been struck off the nursing register.

From BBC

Each person at their small table - which was filled with already empty alcoholic drinks - was glued to their phones, each with a different news outlet's feed on election results.

From BBC

Mr Jahangir said the three people were accused of “committing espionage for the occupying regime of Israel” and “transporting equipment into Iran for the assassination of martyr Fakhrizadeh under the guise of smuggling alcoholic beverages”.

From BBC

Defending the rise, the chancellor said "two-thirds of alcoholic drinks sold in pubs are served on draught".

From BBC

One member of bar staff said that she had asked them for ID and had served them three alcoholic drinks each.

From BBC

Related Words

• drunk
• substance abuser