addict
[noun ad-ikt; verb uh-dikt]
- a person who is addicted to an activity, habit, or substance: a drug addict.
- to cause to become physiologically or psychologically dependent on an addictive substance, as alcohol or a narcotic.
- to habituate or abandon (oneself) to something compulsively or obsessively: a writer addicted to the use of high-flown language; children addicted to video games.
Origin of addict
1520–30; < Latin addictus assigned, surrendered (past participle of addīcere, equivalent to ad- ad- + dic- (variant stem of dīcere to fix, determine) + -tus past participle suffix)
Synonyms
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com1. adherent, devotee; fanatic; junkie.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for addicting
Contemporary Examples
The addicting ditty “One of These Things” was used to help children learn to compare and discern differences.
Each of the four main female characters in Witches of East End has their own fast-evolving and addicting storylines.
Every sentence, every scene, works in service of the plot, which moves with addicting pace.
The pace, rhythm, crazy spins, personalities, and, as I quickly learned, unique underground subculture were addicting.
Historical Examples
But he resisted it with great courage, addicting himself more than ever to the hardy exercises of the camp.
Memoirs of the Dukes of Urbino, Volume I (of 3)James Dennistoun
In one point of view he committed a great error in addicting himself to the drama.
The Age of DrydenRichard Garnett
An aged hermit named Sergius dwelt in the wilds of Arabia, addicting himself to the pursuit of religion and alchemy.
The Twilight of the Gods, and Other TalesRichard Garnett
Economists have of late been reproached with addicting themselves too much to the study of Wealth.
Harmonies of Political EconomyFrdric Bastiat
addict
- (tr; usually passive often foll by to) to cause (someone or oneself) to become dependent (on something, esp a narcotic drug)
- a person who is addicted, esp to narcotic drugs
- informal a person who is devoted to somethinga jazz addict
Word Origin
C16: (as adj and as vb; n use C20): from Latin addictus given over, from addīcere to give one's assent to, from ad- to + dīcere to say
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for addicting
addict
n.
1909, in reference to morphine, from addict (v.).
addict
v.
1530s (implied in addicted), from Latin addictus, past participle of addicere "to deliver, award, yield; give assent, make over, sell," figuratively "to devote, consecrate; sacrifice, sell out, betray" from ad- "to" (see ad-) + dicere "say, declare" (see diction), but also "adjudge, allot." Earlier in English as an adjective, "delivered, devoted" (1520s). Related: Addicted; addicting.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
addict
(ăd′ĭkt)
- One who is addicted, as to narcotics or a compulsive activity.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.