diabetic

1 of 2

adjective

di·​a·​bet·​ic ˌdī-ə-ˈbe-tik 

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

Adjective

There are some early trials with glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. —Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 4 May 2026

The Diabetes Vision Risk Families Should Know About Wayans is now partnering with biotech company Genentech’s All Eyes on DME initiative to raise awareness of diabetic macular edema, a complication that can rob diabetes patients of their sight. —Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026

Noun

Monjaro says on its website that its prescription product is meant to improve blood and sugar levels for diabetics. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026

King and his wife, Sheila, a Type 1 diabetic, launched The King of the Hill Foundation in 2024 to raise awareness for the disease. —Annie Heilbrunn, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for diabetic

• acetic
• aesthetic
• ascetic
• athletic
• cosmetic
• diegetic
• eidetic
• emetic
• esthetic
• frenetic
• genetic
• helvetic

Kids Definition

diabetic

1 of 2 adjective

di·​a·​bet·​ic ˌdī-ə-ˈbet-ik 

: 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

di·​a·​bet·​ic ˌdī-ə-ˈbet-ik 

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