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
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
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
The new non-alcoholic drinks on the menu include the passion fruit mocktail made with lime, pineapple, passion fruit and soda, the prickly pear mocktail, which mixes lime, ginger beer and prickly pear and the yuzu matcha mocktail, which contains yuzu syrup, lemon, lime and matcha.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
Song Sung Blue centers on Mike Sardina (Jackman), a recovering alcoholic, Vietnam veteran and small-time musician working as a mechanic to support his love for performing, and Claire Stengl (Hudson), a struggling single mother who moonlights as a Patsy Cline impersonator.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alcoholic
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Adjective
GoldStar Service booking also includes meals (often made with local ingredients) in the sit-down dining car and two alcoholic beverages.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
The new non-alcoholic drinks on the menu include the passion fruit mocktail made with lime, pineapple, passion fruit and soda, the prickly pear mocktail, which mixes lime, ginger beer and prickly pear and the yuzu matcha mocktail, which contains yuzu syrup, lemon, lime and matcha.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
These moments sit uneasily alongside patients the show treats with real feeling, like Louie, an older alcoholic who recurs through the first half of the season and is understood as a familiar presence in the ER.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
Song Sung Blue centers on Mike Sardina (Jackman), a recovering alcoholic, Vietnam veteran and small-time musician working as a mechanic to support his love for performing, and Claire Stengl (Hudson), a struggling single mother who moonlights as a Patsy Cline impersonator.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alcoholic
Cite this Entry
“Alcoholic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcoholic. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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
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