alcoholic

American  

[al-kuh-haw-lik, -hol-ik] / ˌæl kəˈhɔ lɪk, -ˈhɒl ɪk /

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.

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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 British  

/ ˌælkəˈhɒlɪk /

noun

1. a person affected by alcoholism

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adjective

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

Sensitive Note

See addict.

Related Words

See inebriate.

Other Word Forms

• alcoholically adverb
• semialcoholic adjective

Etymology

Origin of alcoholic

First recorded in 1780–90; alcohol + -ic

Example Sentences

And fruity martinis fit perfectly into this cultural moment: drinks that feel like cocktails but don’t taste aggressively alcoholic.

From Salon

I was raised by an alcoholic father, at times on government assistance.

From The Wall Street Journal

"In our country, there are no alcoholic drinks," said Ahmed Mohammed, 18, as he set down his empty mug.

From Barron's

The UK Foreign Office has added a further 11 countries to its list warning of the risks of methanol poisoning from tainted alcoholic drinks.

From BBC

He also became a boozer, enough of one to qualify as an alcoholic.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• hard
• spirituous