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, addicting

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

Marty isn’t getting mixed up with criminals and flirting with married actors on a self-destructive impulse, like Adam Sandler’s gambling addict in Uncut Gems or Robert Pattinson’s petty criminal in Good Time, another pulse-quickening Safdie-brothers production. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 Dec. 2025

The film tells the story of 18-year-old addict Charlie Mills and his tensions with his parents — particularly his father, movie star and Congress hopeful David — over their harsh treatment of him while dealing with his addiction. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025

Verb

Neither was addicted to anything. —Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025

Two-thirds of families say either they or a family member have been addicted to alcohol or drugs, experienced homelessness because of addiction or experienced a drug overdose, according to KFF, formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation. —Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025

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