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drunken

adjective drunk·en \ ˈdrəŋ-kən \
|Updated on: 2 Jul 2018

Definition of drunken

1 : drunk 1
  • a drunken driver
2 obsolete : saturated with liquid
3 a : given to habitual excessive use of alcohol
b : of, relating to, or characterized by intoxication
  • they come from … broken homes, drunken homes
  • —P. B. Gilliam
c : resulting from or as if from intoxication
  • a drunken brawl
4 : unsteady or lurching as if from alcoholic intoxication
—

drunkenly

adverb
—

drunkenness

play \-kən-nəs\ noun

See drunken defined for English-language learners

See drunken defined for kids

Examples of drunken in a Sentence

  1. The streets were filled with drunken revelers on New Year's Eve.

  2. He lives in an apartment with his drunken mother.

  3. He fell into a drunken stupor.

  4. A drunken brawl broke out at the bar.

Recent Examples of drunken from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'drunken.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of drunken

Middle English, from Old English druncen, from past participle of drincan to drink

drunken Synonyms

Synonyms

drunk, inebriate, inebriated, intoxicated;

Antonyms

sober, straight;

Near Antonyms

abstemious, abstinent, dry, temperate, teetotal;

clearheaded, cool, level, steady;

Related Words

bleary-eyed;

debauched, dissipated, dissolute;

alcoholic, bibulous;

Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

controlled, flake, herb, key, sodden

DRUNKEN Defined for English Language Learners

drunken

adjective

Definition of drunken for English Language Learners

  • : drunk or often becoming drunk

  • : caused by drinking too much alcohol

  • : involving people who are drunk

DRUNKEN Defined for Kids

drunken

adjective drunk·en \ ˈdrəŋ-kən \

Definition of drunken for Students

1 : 2drunk 1
2 : resulting from being drunk
  • a drunken sleep
—

drunkenly

adverb
—

drunkenness

noun

Medical Dictionary

drunken

adjective drunk·en \ ˈdrəŋ-kən \

medical Definition of drunken

1 : drunk 1
  • a drunken driver
2 a : given to habitual excessive use of alcohol
b : of, relating to, or characterized by intoxication
  • drunken parties
c : resulting from or as if from intoxication
  • a drunken stupor
—

drunkenly

adverb
—

drunkenness

play \-kən-nəs\ noun

Learn More about drunken

  1. See words that rhyme with drunken Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for drunken Spanish Central: Translation of drunken Nglish: Translation of drunken for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of drunken for Arabic speakers

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