al·co·hol·ic
ˌal-kə-ˈhȯ-lik 
-ˈhä-
1
a
: of, relating to, or caused by alcohol
an alcoholic odor
b
: containing alcohol
an alcoholic beverage
2
: affected with alcoholism
: a person affected with alcoholism
Synonyms
Examples of alcoholic in a Sentence
Adjective
a slightly more alcoholic wine
She has an alcoholic uncle.
Noun
Her uncle is an alcoholic.
one can be a social drinker without turning into an alcoholic
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2024
Jackson's charges included four counts of lewd acts upon a minor child and providing alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21.
—EW.com, 9 Oct. 2024
Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024
Ronan’s gut-wrenching performance as a recovering alcoholic in the film has been on prognosticators’ lists since the drama’s Sundance premiere in January.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for alcoholic 
Adjective
Examiners are still waiting for further toxicology reports to determine the extent to which drugs or alcohol played a part in the sequence of events; however, investigators did find substances in his hotel room that at first glance appeared to be narcotics and alcoholic drinks.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2024
Jackson's charges included four counts of lewd acts upon a minor child and providing alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21.
—EW.com, 9 Oct. 2024
Noun
Though the film eventually finds its way to Saoirse Ronan’s captivating lead performance as a recovering alcoholic, The Outrun begins underwater, observing a lonesome seal in the North Sea.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024
Ronan’s gut-wrenching performance as a recovering alcoholic in the film has been on prognosticators’ lists since the drama’s Sundance premiere in January.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for alcoholic
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alcoholic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near alcoholic
Cite this Entry
“Alcoholic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcoholic. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
alcoholic
1 of 2 adjective
al·co·hol·ic
ˌal-kə-ˈhȯl-ik
-ˈhäl-
1
: of, relating to, or containing alcohol
2
: affected with alcoholism
alcoholic
2 of 2 noun
: a person affected with alcoholism
Medical Definition
alcoholic
1 of 2 adjective
al·co·hol·ic
ˌal-kə-ˈhȯl-ik, -ˈhäl-
1
a
: of, relating to, or caused by alcohol
alcoholic hepatitis
b
: containing alcohol
2
: affected with alcoholism
alcoholic
2 of 2 noun
: one affected with alcoholism
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share