alcoholic

1 of 2

adjective

al·​co·​hol·​ic ˌal-kə-ˈhȯ-lik How to pronounce alcoholic (audio)
-ˈhä-
1
a
: of, relating to, or caused by alcohol
an alcoholic odor
b
: containing alcohol
an alcoholic beverage
2
: affected with alcoholism
alcoholically adverb

alcoholic

2 of 2

noun

: a person affected with alcoholism

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
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
Spikes in methanol poisonings are common in Iran, where ordinary alcohol can’t be sold or consumed and bootleggers often use industrial methanol to produce homemade alcoholic drinks instead. Bykai Kupferschmidt, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024 The Louisville Metro Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has denied a popular Original Highlands bar's application to renew its license to sell alcoholic drinks, according to a letter from the ABC's director obtained by The Courier Journal. Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
On the other side of the spectrum is Tamra, who spent the entire season screaming at Shannon for being an alcoholic. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024 The recovering alcoholic had come dangerously close to relapsing at that same bar on the same night, ordering a drink and staring at it for an hour before leaving without taking a sip. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for alcoholic 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alcoholic was in 1789

Dictionary Entries Near alcoholic

Cite this Entry

“Alcoholic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcoholic. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

alcoholic

1 of 2 adjective
al·​co·​hol·​ic ˌal-kə-ˈhȯl-ik How to pronounce alcoholic (audio)
-ˈhäl-
1
: of, relating to, or containing alcohol
2
: affected with alcoholism
alcoholically 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- How to pronounce alcoholic (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or caused by alcohol
alcoholic hepatitis
b
: containing alcohol
2
: affected with alcoholism
alcoholically adverb

alcoholic

2 of 2 noun
: one affected with alcoholism

More from Merriam-Webster on alcoholic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!