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
While human trials are some way off, early trials in mice and diabetic macaques showed the process works as intended and found no indication of harmful effects. Mike McRae 19, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026 Adapted from Enid Blyton’s 1943 novel, which was part of a three-book series, The Magic Faraway Tree proves so relentlessly twee and sugary that all but the youngest viewers will find themselves at risk of a diabetic coma. Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
Opened this June by Jay Desai, Ray Niak and Rohit Singh, the shop aims to match the decadence of Häagen-Daz with a high-nutrition treat that diabetics can enjoy. Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026 But their vision to help diabetics felt more important to them. Christine Haughney Dare-Bryan, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 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 25 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
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