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

In comparison, LaBeouf has long been open about his tumultuous childhood and has said that his father was a recovering addict, and at times abusive. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

Leigh, Beck was told, was a drug addict who had been cheating on him behind his back. — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

Verb

Reith’s most famous work was housed in an extension paid for by a pharmaceutical company’s success in addicting millions of people to opioids. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

As demonstrated in Hijack and Lupin, Kay has a special knack for elevating standard-issue thriller material into giddily addicting TV with his above-average command of storytelling basics. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 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