dipsomaniac

noun

dip·​so·​ma·​ni·​ac -nēˌak How to pronounce dipsomaniac (audio)
plural -s
Synonyms of dipsomaniacnext
: one affected with dipsomania
dipsomaniacal adjective

Did you know?

Dipsomaniac comes from the Greek noun dipsa, "thirst", but thirst usually has nothing to do with it. Some experts distinguish between an alcoholic and a dipsomaniac, reserving dipsomaniac for someone involved in frequent episodes of binge drinking and blackouts. In any case, there are plenty of less respectful words for a person of similar habits: sot, lush, wino, souse, boozer, guzzler, tippler, tosspot, drunkard, boozehound--the list goes on and on and on.

Word History

Etymology

from New Latin dipsomania, after English mania: maniac

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Cite this Entry

“Dipsomaniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dipsomaniac. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.

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