diabetic

1 of 2

adjective

1
: of or relating to diabetes or diabetics
2
: affected with diabetes
3
: occurring in or caused by diabetes
diabetic coma
4
: suitable for diabetics
diabetic food

diabetic

2 of 2

noun

: a person affected with diabetes

Examples of diabetic in a Sentence

Adjective new drugs for treating diabetic patients
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
To make matters worse, Brit developed diabetic cataracts and became blind. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2026 My diabetic husband then tripped over our suitcases and was injured. Josh Rivera, USA Today, 19 July 2026
Noun
But their vision to help diabetics felt more important to them. Christine Haughney Dare-Bryan, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Continue taking prescribed diabetic, blood pressure, or other heart medications as directed. Alexandria Nyembwe, Health, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for diabetic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin diabēticus, from Late Latin diabētēs diabetes + -icus -ic entry 1

Noun

borrowed from Medieval Latin diabēticus, noun derivative of diabēticus diabetic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1763, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diabetic was in 1702

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diabetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diabetic. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

diabetic

1 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, or having diabetes
a diabetic person

diabetic

2 of 2 noun
: a person who has diabetes

Medical Definition

diabetic

1 of 2 adjective
1
: of or relating to diabetes or diabetics
2
: affected with diabetes
3
: occurring in or caused by diabetes
a diabetic coma
4
: suitable for diabetics
diabetic food

diabetic

2 of 2 noun
: a person affected with diabetes

More from Merriam-Webster on diabetic

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