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
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
This year Monday Morning Bottleshop in Pacific Beach offered non-alcoholic beers and mocktails.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025
His mother was a gregarious Little League Baseball booster and history buff, but also an alcoholic living in the balance.
—NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alcoholic
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Adjective
While still unconfirmed, we’re told that the film sees Louise, the alcoholic mother of Mike (Hechinger) and Tommy, take off after a quarrel with her husband Lester — walking with her dog to the home of her brother Frank, quite a few miles away.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
This year Monday Morning Bottleshop in Pacific Beach offered non-alcoholic beers and mocktails.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
AlAnon is a support group for family and friends of alcoholics/addicts.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025
His mother was a gregarious Little League Baseball booster and history buff, but also an alcoholic living in the balance.
—NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alcoholic
Cite this Entry
“Alcoholic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcoholic. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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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