diabetic

1 of 2

adjective

di·​a·​bet·​ic ˌdī-ə-ˈbe-tik 

1

: of or relating to diabetes or diabetics

2

: affected with diabetes

3

: occurring in or caused by diabetes

diabetic coma

4

: suitable for diabetics

diabetic food

diabetic

2 of 2

noun

: a person affected with diabetes

Examples of diabetic in a Sentence

Adjective

new drugs for treating diabetic patients

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Shaheen quickly joined her cause after getting elected to Congress; the issue is very personal to her, with a diabetic granddaughter. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026

Those most at risk to the heat included people over 60 years old, under 12 years old, or those pregnant, diabetic, having a heart condition. —Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026

Noun

For diabetics, insulin is typically administered via injection, but the pill would offer a non-invasive treatment option. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026

Scratch wounds can become infected, which is especially dangerous in babies, the elderly, diabetics, and people on cancer chemotherapy or immunosuppressive drugs. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin diabēticus, from Late Latin diabētēs diabetes + -icus -ic entry 1

Noun

borrowed from Medieval Latin diabēticus, noun derivative of diabēticus diabetic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1763, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for diabetic

• alphabetic
• anaesthetic
• anesthetic
• antithetic
• apathetic
• arithmetic
• cybernetic
• dietetic
• diuretic
• empathetic
• energetic
• geodetic

Kids Definition

diabetic

1 of 2 adjective

di·​a·​bet·​ic ˌdī-ə-ˈbet-ik 

: of, relating to, or having diabetes

a diabetic person

diabetic

2 of 2 noun

: a person who has diabetes

Medical Definition

diabetic

1 of 2 adjective

di·​a·​bet·​ic ˌdī-ə-ˈbet-ik 

1

: of or relating to diabetes or diabetics

2

: affected with diabetes

3

: occurring in or caused by diabetes

a diabetic coma

4

: suitable for diabetics

diabetic food

diabetic

2 of 2 noun

: a person affected with diabetes