addict

1 of 2

noun

ad·dict ˈa-(ˌ)dikt

plural addicts

Synonyms of addict next

: one exhibiting a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity

a drug addict

opioid addicts

a gambling addict

: one strongly inclined to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly

a television addict

chocolate addicts

addict

2 of 2

verb

ad·dict ə-ˈdikt

addicted; addicting; addicts

transitive verb

: to cause addiction in (someone)

addicts … find it convenient to addict several other persons—

D. W. Maurer and V. H. Vogel

Hard-core fitness freaks are addicting themselves to all manner of hybrid mind/body activities …—

Rick Marin et al.

Example Sentences

Noun an inspiring story about addicts who seek help and manage to kick their habit science-fiction addicts who eagerly await each new installment in the series

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To make matters worse, Maxine also has to contend with Ezra's father Tyler (Tyson Ritter), an abusive addict who wants more control of his son's life. —

Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 10 May 2023 Minnesota is getting its day in court to prove Juul created a new generation of nicotine addicts. —

Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2023 After property developers try to grab a rundown building, young gangsters try to throw people out of the building, drug addicts cause trouble and the old-timer heeds his neighbors’ calls and fights back. —

Patrick Frater, Variety, 13 Mar. 2023 They are often written off as hardcore drug addicts, people living in the margins who have had more than enough chances to clean up their acts. —

Tamara Kerrill Field, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Feb. 2023 Kohberger, who is reportedly a recovering heroin addict with socially awkward tendencies, studied for his master's degree in criminal justice at DeSales University under Dr. Katherine Ramsland, an expert on serial killers who co-authored a book with Rader. —

Fox News, 1 Feb. 2023 This involves detaching from the drama surrounding this disease and accepting one’s own powerlessness over the addict. —

Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 16 May 2023 That book is used by Alcoholics Anonymous to present the program for alcoholism but is also used by drug addicts as a textbook for recovery. —

Susan Mcfarland, Dallas News, 12 May 2023 And these guys have all gone over the top — heroin addicts, on and on and on and on. —

Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Apr. 2023

Verb

To keep users from becoming addicted, CarynAI is programmed to wind down conversations after about an hour, encouraging users to pick back up later. —

Taylor Lorenz, Anchorage Daily News, 15 May 2023 Pregnancy and substance use:Pregnant people addicted to drugs are terrified to get help. —

Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2023 These close encounters are heart-stopping, frustrating, and addicting all at one. —

Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 25 Apr. 2023 Clements then started drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana and by the end of his sophomore year of high school was addicted to using PCP and cocaine. —

Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2023 Their patients, all men, aged 19 to 37, had been addicted to heroin for an average of nine years. —

Carol Sutton Lewis, Scientific American, 30 Mar. 2023 Minnesota is seeking more than $100 million in damages, accusing Washington, D.C.-based Juul of unlawfully targeting young people to get a new generation addicted to nicotine. —

Steve Karnowski, ajc, 28 Mar. 2023 Lawmakers at the state and federal levels often resist tougher laws on distracted driving, said Robyn Robertson, chief executive of the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, a member of the distracted driving coalition, in part because drivers addicted to their phones aren’t clamoring for them. —

Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2023 Frankfurt uses an example of two animals addicted to drugs. —

Nita Farahany, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'addict.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

derivative of addict entry 2

Verb

earlier, "to give over, surrender, apply or devote (oneself) habitually," borrowed from Latin addictus, past participle of addīcere "to assign (property), make over, hand over, surrender," from ad- ad- + dīcere "to speak, say" — more at diction

First Known Use

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1612, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of addict was in 1612

See more words from the same year