addict

1 of 2

noun

ad·​dict ˈa-(ˌ)dikt 

plural addicts

1

: one exhibiting a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity

a drug addict

opioid addicts

a gambling addict

2

: one strongly inclined to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly

a television addict

chocolate addicts

addict

2 of 2

verb

ad·​dict ə-ˈdikt 

addicted; addicting; addicts

transitive verb

: to cause addiction in (someone)

… the same … strategy used to addict people to slot machines …

—Matt Klein

see also addicted entry 1, addicting entry 1

Synonyms of addict

Noun

• user
• junkie

Examples of addict in a Sentence

Noun

an inspiring story about addicts who seek help and manage to kick their habit

science-fiction addicts who eagerly await each new installment in the series

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The lawsuit accuses Meta of contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features that addict children to its platforms and hide these harms from the public. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

The lawsuit accuses Meta of contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features that addict children to its platforms and hides these harms from the public. — Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

That is not saying that her kids are terrible, lazy, ugly, addicted to TikTok, or caught shoplifting at Brandy Melville. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026

Trash is strewn everywhere; people addicted to the cheap stimulant basuco, derived from cocaine-production residue, lumber around in varying states of distress. — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

derivative of addict entry 2

Verb

earlier, "to give over, surrender, apply or devote (oneself) habitually," borrowed from Latin addictus, past participle of addīcere "to assign (property), make over, hand over, surrender," from ad- ad- + dīcere "to speak, say" — more at diction

First Known Use

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1655, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for addict

• afflict
• constrict
• delict
• depict
• evict
• handpicked
• inflict
• predict
• relict
• restrict
• bricked
• clicked

Kids Definition

addict

1 of 2 verb

ad·​dict ə-ˈdikt 

1

: to devote or surrender oneself to something habitually

addicted to detective stories

2

: to cause to make a habit of using a drug

nicotine is addicting

addict

2 of 2 noun

ad·​dict ˈad-(ˌ)ikt 

1

: one who is addicted (as to a drug)

2

: a person devoted to something

a TV addict

Medical Definition

addict

1 of 2 transitive verb

ad·​dict ə-ˈdikt 

: to cause addiction in (someone)

addict

2 of 2 noun

ad·​dict ˈad-(ˌ)ikt 

: one exhibiting a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity

a drug addict

opioid addicts

a gambling addict

Legal Definition

addict

1 of 2 transitive verb

ad·​dict ə-ˈdikt 

: to cause (a person) to become physiologically dependent upon a drug

addict

2 of 2 noun

ad·​dict ˈa-dikt 

: one who is addicted to a drug