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

The girl was allegedly hospitalized four times for diabetic ketoacidosis before her death since being diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes in February 2018, The Seattle Times reported. —Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025

Dancing was her true joy, and diabetic retinal disease stole that joy from her. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 26 Nov. 2025

Noun

As people age or live with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis or diabetic neuropathy, those delays grow longer, increasing fall risk. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Nov. 2025

For example, intermittent fasting is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, young children, Type 1 diabetics, folks with a history of eating disorders, etc. —Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Nov. 2025

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