alcoholic

1 of 2

adjective

al·​co·​hol·​ic ˌal-kə-ˈhȯ-lik 

-ˈhä-

1

a

: of, relating to, or caused by alcohol

an alcoholic odor

b

: containing alcohol

an alcoholic beverage

2

: affected with alcoholism

alcoholically

ˌal-kə-ˈhȯ-li-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈhä-

adverb

alcoholic

2 of 2

noun

: a person affected with alcoholism

Synonyms of alcoholic

Noun

• drunk
• drinker
• drunkard

Examples of alcoholic in a Sentence

Adjective

a slightly more alcoholic wine

She has an alcoholic uncle.

Noun

Her uncle is an alcoholic.

one can be a social drinker without turning into an alcoholic

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Born in Dublin on April 21, 1970, Hansard was raised in a working-class household by an alcoholic father who frequently turned to domestic violence. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 29 July 2026

The administration says the measure responds to Canadian provinces removing American alcoholic beverages from their distribution and retail systems. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Noun

Partly because McCarthy is a desperate alcoholic and becoming very sick. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026

Following their split, Timothy, who was an alcoholic, moved across the country to California, while Chris took charge of raising Ben and Casey. — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1852, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for alcoholic

• anabolic
• apostolic
• catabolic
• cytosolic
• diabolic
• diastolic
• ethanolic
• hyperbolic
• melancholic
• metabolic
• methanolic
• parabolic

Kids Definition

alcoholic

1 of 2 adjective

al·​co·​hol·​ic ˌal-kə-ˈhȯl-ik 

-ˈhäl-

1

: of, relating to, or containing alcohol

2

: affected with alcoholism

alcoholically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

alcoholic

2 of 2 noun

: a person affected with alcoholism

Medical Definition

alcoholic

1 of 2 adjective

al·​co·​hol·​ic ˌal-kə-ˈhȯl-ik, -ˈhäl- 

1

a

: of, relating to, or caused by alcohol

alcoholic hepatitis

b

: containing alcohol

2

: affected with alcoholism

alcoholically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

alcoholic

2 of 2 noun

: one affected with alcoholism