alcoholic

play

adjective al·co·hol·ic \ ˌal-kə-ˈhȯ-lik , -ˈhä- \

Definition of alcoholic

1 a :of, relating to, or caused by alcohol

an alcoholic odor

b :containing alcohol

an alcoholic beverage

2 :affected with alcoholism

—

alcoholically

play \-li-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See alcoholic defined for English-language learners

See alcoholic defined for kids

Examples of alcoholic in a Sentence

a slightly more alcoholic wine
She has an alcoholic uncle.

Recent Examples of alcoholic from the Web

The teen told the detective that Bowles reportedly provided her alcoholic beverages, court documents said.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Former deputy enters not guilty plea to child porn charges," 28 Aug. 2017
During the dinner, Dickerson purchased the females alcoholic drinks, the lawsuit said.

— jonece starr dunigan, AL.com, "'I want us to be good friends': UNA professor accused of sexually assaulting student in lawsuit," 11 Aug. 2017
The event will also offer wine, beer, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages from Novo Brazil Brewery, Bay Bridge Brewing, Chula Vista Brewery, Modern Times Beer and Cutwater Spirits, among several others.

— allison sampite-montecalvo, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Living Coast annual Farm to Bay event this Saturday," 3 Aug. 2017
His father was an alcoholic schoolteacher and former Army pilot.

— Bloomberg.com, "Sam Shepard, Pulitzer-Winning Playwright, Dies at 73," 31 July 2017
Fair organizers have worked to bring in new attractions and events this year in honor of the 30th anniversary of the farm fair, including the alcoholic beverage vendors.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Enjoy a beer, sample some whiskey at the Harford County Farm Fair," 27 July 2017
For millennia, the baker’s yeast—a humble fungus—has helped humans to bake bread and brew alcoholic drinks.

— ed yong, The Atlantic, "Turning Baker’s Yeast Into a Disease Sensor," 18 July 2017
The bar will offer nine rotating draft beers, some select wines that pair with barbecue dishes and creative cocktails, several with vegetable-juice bases like carrot and beet (which will also be available in non-alcoholic versions).

— leeanne griffin, courant.com, "Much-Awaited Cook And Bear Collaboration Opening In Blue Back," 14 July 2017
Vendors will be on site, but outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome.

— hailey ross, idahostatesman, "Molly Deckart and the Boise Film Foundation are working to boost Idaho’s film industry," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alcoholic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of alcoholic

1789

Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

controlled, flake, herb, key, sodden

alcoholic

noun

Definition of alcoholic

:a person affected with alcoholism

See alcoholic defined for English-language learners

Examples of alcoholic in a Sentence

Her uncle is an alcoholic.
one can be a social drinker without turning into an alcoholic

Recent Examples of alcoholic from the Web

Sober-living homes typically house recovering alcoholics and drug addicts, who are considered disabled under state and federal laws.

— luke money, Daily Pilot, "4 sober-living homes are rejected by Costa Mesa Planning Commission," 29 Aug. 2017
This triggers a series of flashbacks to Jeannette’s nomadic and impoverished childhood and especially her relationship with Rex, a possibly brilliant man who is all ideas and no follow-through, a mean alcoholic and a charismatic raconteur.

— robert w. butler, kansascity, "‘The Glass Castle’ movie has so much promise, but …," 10 Aug. 2017
The Southlake location has one of those applying-for-a-license-to-sell-alcoholic-beverages sign on its window already; the Dallas location sells beer and wine on tap.

— robert philpot, star-telegram, "Unleavened Fresh Kitchen will rise this year in Southlake," 30 June 2017
Erdogan was clearly drawing the line between God-fearing good Turks and those who preferred the illegitimate legacy of two alcoholics.

— steven a. cook, The Atlantic, "Turkey's Identity Crisis," 25 June 2017
Nixon alternated the top female roles in the play, Regina, the villainous manipulator, and Birdie, the delicate alcoholic.

— eileen daspin, USA TODAY, "Tony Awards 2017: The surprises, the headscratchers and everything in between," 11 June 2017
His career slumped when the Great Depression hit, and Poole, an alcoholic, died young in 1931.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "Nobel laureate Bob Dylan gives shout-out to NC folk hero. There’s just one problem.," 8 June 2017
In the 1930s and '40s, many alcoholics began their recovery there.

— jennifer conn, akron reporter, cleveland.com, "Founders' Day weekend to draw thousands to Akron, birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous," 24 May 2017
Her father, John, was an alcoholic who abandoned the family when Duke was 6, and her mother, Frances, suffered from depression.

— samantha drake, Country Living, "How Patty Duke's Undiagnosed Mental Illness Wreaked Havoc on Her Love Life," 24 May 2017

First Known Use of alcoholic

1852

alcoholic Synonyms

Synonyms

drunk, alkie (or alky) [slang], boozehound, boozer, dipsomaniac, drinker, drunkard, inebriate, juicehead [slang], juicer [slang], lush, rummy, soak, soaker, sot, souse, tippler, toper, tosspot

Related Words

swigger, swiller; wino

Near Antonyms

abstainer, nondrinker, teetotaler (or teetotaller), teetotalist

Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

controlled, flake, herb, key, sodden

ALCOHOLIC Defined for English Language Learners

alcoholic

noun

Definition of alcoholic for English Language Learners

: a person who frequently drinks too much alcohol and is unable to live a normal and healthy life : a person who is affected with alcoholism

ALCOHOLIC Defined for Kids

alcoholic

play

adjective al·co·hol·ic \ ˌal-kə-ˈhȯ-lik , -ˈhä- \

Definition of alcoholic for Students

1 :of, relating to, or containing alcohol

alcoholic drinks

2 :affected with alcoholism

alcoholic

noun

Definition of alcoholic for Students

:a person affected with alcoholism

Medical Dictionary

alcoholic

play

adjective al·co·hol·ic \ ˌal-kə-ˈhȯl-ik, -ˈhäl- \

medical Definition of alcoholic

1 a :of, relating to, or caused by alcohol

alcoholic hepatitis

b :containing alcohol

2 :affected with alcoholism

—

alcoholically

play \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

alcoholic

noun

medical Definition of alcoholic

:one affected with alcoholism

Learn More about alcoholic

See words that rhyme with alcoholic Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for alcoholic Spanish Central: Translation of alcoholic Nglish: Translation of alcoholic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of alcoholic for Arabic speakers

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alcoholically

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alcoholic

Definition of alcoholic

Examples of alcoholic in a Sentence

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First Known Use of alcoholic

alcoholic Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

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Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

ALCOHOLIC Defined for English Language Learners

alcoholic

Definition of alcoholic for English Language Learners

ALCOHOLIC Defined for Kids

alcoholic

Definition of alcoholic for Students

alcoholic

Definition of alcoholic for Students

Medical Dictionary

alcoholic

medical Definition of alcoholic

alcoholically

alcoholic

medical Definition of alcoholic

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