alcoholic

1 of 2

adjective

al·​co·​hol·​ic ˌal-kə-ˈhȯ-lik How to pronounce alcoholic (audio)
-ˈhä-
1
a
: of, relating to, or caused by alcohol
an alcoholic odor
b
: containing alcohol
an alcoholic beverage
2
: affected with alcoholism
alcoholically adverb

alcoholic

2 of 2

noun

: 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
Adjective
The Volstead gets its name from the 1920 Volstead Act, better known as the National Prohibition Act, which outlawed selling and manufacturing alcoholic beverages in the U.S. Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2024 Stephens also faces charges for trying to escape and alcoholic beverages on the beach, according to online arrest records. Pilar Arias, Fox News, 19 Mar. 2024 However, state law prohibits serving alcoholic beverages to someone who is visibly intoxicated. David Chiu, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 Rather than purchasing alcoholic beverages from manufacturers all over the world, why not show some Kentucky pride with drinks made right here in the state? Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 11 Mar. 2024 No outside food or alcoholic beverages will be allowed. Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024 And although ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages have vastly improved in recent years, there’s still nothing like the real thing. Ronnie Koenig, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 There will be prizes and giveaways, with free gin and alcoholic kombucha samplings, and a tailgating atmosphere that might not exist again at the Coliseum after 2024. Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024 Basic economy passengers are served the same meal as those in Main Cabin; alcoholic beverages can be purchased. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2024
Noun
Newsom’s Proposition 1— a proposal to pump more money into treating homeless people who are mentally ill, drug addicted or alcoholics — may finally pass after vote counting is completed. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 In the same way an alcoholic can’t drink enough liquor, Lopez can’t have enough followers. Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2024 Ray, a recovering alcoholic, had stayed sober for most of his adult life. Natalie Morales, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2024 Michel Franco’s quiet new drama (in theaters now) follows the uneasy bond between Saul (Peter Sarsgaard), a man with early-onset dementia, and Sylvia (Chastain), a single mother and recovering alcoholic. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024 The Ordinary Angels true story centers around Sharon, an alcoholic seeking greater purpose in her life, and Ed, a recent widower left to take care of his two daughters and a massive amount of medical bills, with his youngest in dire need of a liver transplant. Jeff Conway, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Cole stole the show at the 2023 Honda Classic, losing in a playoff to Chris Kirk, a recovering alcoholic on his own personal journey. Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2024 The mixture ferments over a period of days or weeks, turning alcoholic as the yeast eats the sugar, then ferments again, over some months, becoming vinegar. Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 His biological father was an alcoholic who had trouble with the law. Matthew Rosenberg, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2024

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.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alcoholic was in 1789

Dictionary Entries Near alcoholic

Cite this Entry

“Alcoholic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcoholic. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

alcoholic

1 of 2 adjective
al·​co·​hol·​ic ˌal-kə-ˈhȯl-ik How to pronounce alcoholic (audio)
-ˈhäl-
1
: of, relating to, or containing alcohol
2
: affected with alcoholism
alcoholically 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- How to pronounce alcoholic (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or caused by alcohol
alcoholic hepatitis
b
: containing alcohol
2
: affected with alcoholism
alcoholically adverb

alcoholic

2 of 2 noun
: one affected with alcoholism

More from Merriam-Webster on alcoholic

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