addict

1 of 2

noun

ad·​dict ˈa-(ˌ)dikt How to pronounce addict (audio)
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 How to pronounce addict (audio)
addicted; addicting; addicts

transitive verb

: to cause addiction in (someone)
addicts … find it convenient to addict several other personsD. W. Maurer and V. H. Vogel
Hard-core fitness freaks are addicting themselves to all manner of hybrid mind/body activities …Rick Marin et al.
see also addicted, addicting

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
In the building next door, addicts shot up in a stairwell. Eyal Press, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023 Alcoholics and addicts will relate to it a tremendous amount and hopefully be helped by it. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 29 Oct. 2023 But until the courts change — and the gun haters and gun addicts agree on practical solutions — mothers such as Blakespear will keep being texted by their children hiding under a desk. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2023 You shouldn’t be excited when someone’s stealing or going to jail or an addict starts to drink again. Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023 This Stanley Perfect Brew Pour Over Set is Made for Coffee Lovers What coffee addict in your life needs this present? Kirsten Chanel Webber, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023 Attorneys general from states ranging from California to Wisconsin filed federal lawsuits on Tuesday, accusing Meta of intentionally turning kids into social-media addicts. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 24 Oct. 2023 That heroin addict once found unconscious in his car with a syringe in his arm, now sober and married, with twins. Photographs Todd Heisler, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2023 Sometimes with her maternal grandmother — who would become a guiding force — and sometimes with her mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, a heroin addict who would get sober and become a mainstay in her and her children’s lives and on the set of Red Table Talk. Jason Sheeler, Peoplemag, 12 Oct. 2023
Verb
At the time of the killings, Clements was addicted to phencyclidine (PCP) and cocaine and was intending to rob Gatlin to buy crack cocaine, according to court filings. Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023 Our testers are addicted and stressed that it’s constantly sold out. Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 13 Nov. 2023 That the technology, the design, the engineering might lead us to achieve what Adam and James initially set out to achieve in terms of what the Juul could mean for people who were addicted to combustible cigarettes. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 11 Oct. 2023 The younger Biden is facing two counts related to false statements in purchasing a firearm, and a third count of illegally obtaining a firearm while addicted to drugs. Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2023 While Joshua works at the port, Christophe becomes a drug dealer before becoming addicted himself and veering tragically toward conflict with his father. Imani Perry, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2023 Meanwhile, longtime gamers are as addicted as ever to non-blockchain franchises like Resident Evil and the Legend of Zelda. Jeff John Roberts, Fortune Crypto, 25 Sep. 2023 Eleanor may be addicted to drugs, but Ruth is helplessly, hopelessly addicted to Eleanor. Jane Hu, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2023 The younger Biden was charged last week with three felony gun charges tied to owning a firearm while using or being addicted to narcotics. Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'addict.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

1612, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of addict was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near addict

Cite this Entry

“Addict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addict. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

addict

1 of 2 verb
ad·​dict ə-ˈdikt How to pronounce addict (audio)
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 How to pronounce addict (audio)
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 How to pronounce addict (audio)
: to cause addiction in (someone)

addict

2 of 2 noun
ad·​dict ˈad-(ˌ)ikt How to pronounce addict (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce addict (audio)
: to cause (a person) to become physiologically dependent upon a drug

addict

2 of 2 noun
ad·​dict ˈa-dikt How to pronounce addict (audio)
: one who is addicted to a drug

More from Merriam-Webster on addict

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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