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

Noun

• alkie [slang]
• alky
• boozehound
• boozer
• dipsomaniac
• drinker
• drunk
• drunkard
• inebriate
• juicehead [slang]
• juicer [slang]
• lush
• rummy
• soak
• soaker
• sot
• souse
• tippler
• toper
• tosspot

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

Patients must not be given alcoholic drinks to cool down. —Chad De Guzman, TIME, 24 Apr. 2024

The rule was set to expire next year after the state temporarily authorized the sale of to-go alcoholic drinks during the pandemic. —Maysoon Khan, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1852, in the meaning defined above

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