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 of alcoholic

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

Sizzler Veterans and active-duty service members receive complimentary lunch (6oz tri-tip sirloin steak, Malibu chicken, or half-dozen shrimp) and a non-alcoholic beverage. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Note that prohibited items include bags or backpacks larger than 12-by-6-by-12 inches, lawn chairs, large coolers, alcoholic beverages, chairs, weapons, drones, pets, and umbrellas; participants will be screened before entering the route. — Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026

Noun

By the time Casey came under the wing of other recovering alcoholics in the 1990s, Murphy was a local legend. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2026

Premiering in 2013, Faris starred in the first seven seasons of Mom as Christy, a recovering alcoholic who struggles to maintain a job, her family and her sobriety as her mom Bonnie (Allison Janney), who’s also in recovery, moves in with her. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

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