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View synonyms for alcoholic

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. of, relating to, containing, or resulting from alcohol
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Sensitive Note

See addict.
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Other Words From

  • al·co·hol·i·cal·ly adverb
  • sem·i·al·co·hol·ic adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of alcoholic1

First recorded in 1780–90; alcohol + -ic
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

His oldest son, Maxwell, has just directed The Flask, a hard-hitting account of an alcoholic’s downward spiral into addiction that will be released next month.

From BBC

“They're not alcoholics... but they are just drinking too much as a habit.”

From BBC

It is believed their alcoholic drinks may have contained methanol, an industrial chemical often used in bootleg alcohol.

From BBC

The diplomat said methanol poisoning - where alcoholic drinks are contaminated with a toxic compound - is well-known among consulates and tourism operators.

From BBC

Art Carney plays an otherwise unemployed alcoholic department store Santa, saddened by a world where “the only thing that comes down the chimney is more poverty.”

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alcohol-freealcoholicity