addict

1 of 2

noun

ad·​dict ˈa-(ˌ)dikt How to pronounce addict (audio)
plural addicts
Synonyms of addictnext
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 persons— D. 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

Synonyms

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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.
Noun
Being around drugs is personally dangerous for both Ray and Manny: Ray’s father, Bart (Ving Rhames), was an addict who ruined Ray’s childhood with his using, while Manny has a weakness for heroin. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025 Flaherty’s subjects allege that these facilities release addicts into the streets after weeks of nonexistent treatments and hand them wads of cash as a participation fee, knowing full well where that money is likely to be spent. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
Moment of clarity Privately, Smith was addicted to prescription drugs for a decade. — Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2025 But no such medication exists for people addicted to meth or cocaine. — Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for addict

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

Rhymes for addict

See All Rhymes for addict

Browse Nearby Words

addict
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Cite this Entry

“Addict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addict. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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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

Nglish: Translation of addict for Spanish Speakers

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