alcoholic

[ al-kuh-haw-lik, -hol-ik ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of alcohol:

   The fermented milk has a mildly alcoholic flavor.

2. containing or using alcohol:

   The bar serves beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages.

3. caused by alcohol:

   alcoholic fermentation.

4. of or like a person with alcoholism or alcohol use disorder:

   She hadn’t seen or spoken to her alcoholic aunt in over a decade.

5. preserved in alcohol:

   Tissue shrinking in alcoholic specimens did not affect nuclear composition.

noun

1. Sometimes Offensive. a person with alcoholism or alcohol use disorder; a person addicted to intoxicating drinks: Prescription medications are available to help alcoholics get sober and stay that way.

   He’s a self-described alcoholic.

   Prescription medications are available to help alcoholics get sober and stay that way.

alcoholic

/ ˌælkəˈhɒlɪk /

noun

1. a person affected by alcoholism

adjective

1. of, relating to, containing, or resulting from alcohol

Sensitive Note

See addict.

Other Words From

• al·co·hol·i·cal·ly adverb
• sem·i·al·co·hol·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alcoholic¹

First recorded in 1780–90; alcohol + -ic

Synonym Study

See inebriate.

Example Sentences

Carla Gonçalves, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Lisbon, works with a lineage of yeast that has lost the enzymes for alcoholic fermentation.

From Quanta Magazine

A complete shutdown of bars and nightclubs is cataclysmic for makers of alcoholic beverages.

From Fortune

This year, the event has expanded to include a to-go program with a variety of family-style offerings as well as alcoholic options available over the two weeks.

From Washington Blade

Gaga plays Ally Maine, the latest incarnation of the rising star who falls in love with an alcoholic performer.

From Washington Blade

This year, the event has expanded to include a to-go program with a variety of family-style offerings as well as alcoholic beverage options available over the two weeks.

From Washington Blade

“No one set out to be an alcoholic,” Gil told writer Patrick Sisson.

From The Daily Beast

By the time Prohibition was on the menu, we were very much an “alcoholic Republic.”

From The Daily Beast

Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey is manufactured by Sazerac, an alcoholic beverage company based in Metairie, La.

From The Daily Beast

I did think you had to end up on skid row if you were an alcoholic.

From The Daily Beast

In St. Vincent, the actor plays a foulmouthed, alcoholic chain smoker with no regard for anyone but himself.

From The Daily Beast

Rather hard on politicians this, to bracket their patriotic endeavours with pitch-and-toss and alcoholic indulgence!

From Project Gutenberg

The patients either do not tell the truth, or have very elastic notions as to moderation in the use of alcoholic stimuli.

From Project Gutenberg

Alcoholic subjects are very liable to unexpected death from a good many causes.

From Project Gutenberg

The kidneys are prone to be affected more or less in old alcoholic subjects.

From Project Gutenberg

The result is that these diseases are very frequently fatal in alcoholic subjects.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drunk
• substance abuser