alcoholic

1 of 2

adjective

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

alcoholically

ˌal-kə-ˈhȯ-li-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈhä-

adverb

alcoholic

2 of 2

noun

: a person affected with alcoholism

Synonyms

Noun

• drunk
• drinker
• drunkard

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

Adjective

That’s a turnaround from its recent past when holdings in traditional sectors like alcoholic beverages and farming dragged performance. —Bloomberg, Fortune, 30 June 2025

Patrons 21 years old and older who wish to have an alcoholic beverage during Unwind Wednesday must purchase their drink from one of the five nearby businesses on First Street Plaza. —Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025

Noun

Pete’s brother, a former hockey player who misses his glory days, is an alcoholic who cares for the family’s large mink farm. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 June 2025

When Moynihan was 10, his father, an alcoholic, abandoned them to move to California. —Augustine Sedgewick, Time, 13 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1852, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for alcoholic

• anabolic
• apostolic
• catabolic
• cytosolic
• diabolic
• diastolic
• ethanolic
• hyperbolic
• melancholic
• metabolic
• methanolic
• parabolic

Kids 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

alcoholically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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

alcoholically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

alcoholic

2 of 2 noun

: one affected with alcoholism