inebriate

[ verb in-ee-bree-eyt; noun adjective in-ee-bree-it ]

verb (used with object)

, in·e·bri·at·ed, in·e·bri·at·ing.

1. to make drunk; intoxicate.
2. to exhilarate, confuse, or stupefy mentally or emotionally.

noun

1. an intoxicated person.
2. a habitual drinker of alcohol who is frequently intoxicated.

adjective

1. Rare. inebriated ( def 1 ).

inebriate

/ ˌɪnɪˈbraɪɪtɪ /

verb

1. to make drunk; intoxicate
2. to arouse emotionally; make excited

noun

1. a person who is drunk, esp habitually

adjective

1. drunk, esp habitually

Derived Forms

• inebriety, noun
• inˌebriˈation, noun

Other Words From

• in·e·bri·a·tion noun
• un·in·e·bri·at·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inebriate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin inēbriātus, past participle of inēbriāre “to make drunk,” equivalent to in- intensive prefix + ēbri(us) “drunk” + -ātus past participle suffix; in- ², -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of inebriate¹

C15: from Latin inēbriāre, from in- ² + ēbriāre to intoxicate, from ēbrius drunk

Synonym Study

Inebriate and drunkard are terms for a person who drinks heavily or drinks hard liquors habitually. Drunkard is a judgmental label that connotes willful indulgence to excess. Inebriate is a formal term that sounds more factual or neutral than the stigmatizing label drunkard. Dipsomaniac is a rare, older term for a person who, because of some psychological or physiological illness, has an irresistible craving for liquor. Today, the dipsomaniac is more commonly called an alcoholic —another label that is judgmental and sometimes offensive. Rather than using either of those labels, it is more sensitive and accurate to describe such an individual as a person with alcohol use disorder, or a person who has alcoholism .

Example Sentences

She said his friend Mark Judge was there too, also inebriated and laughing.

From Los Angeles Times

In the film, Rona is often inebriated and completely unaware of how her constant drinking impacts those around her.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr O'Leary said it was difficult for airlines to identify inebriated people at the gate, especially when they boarded in a group.

From BBC

The second incident allegedly occurred months later in a parking garage near Combs’ Manhattan apartment, where the “slightly inebriated” mogul forced Lampros to her knees, the lawsuit said.

From Los Angeles Times

In Sacramento, the problem has exploded from a few hundred “inebriates” in flophouses to thousands in tents and encampments.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• intoxicate
• make drunk