addict

[noun ad-ikt; verb uh-dikt]

See more synonyms for addict on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who is addicted to an activity, habit, or substance: a drug addict.

verb (used with object)

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)

Related formsnon·ad·dict, nounnon·ad·dict·ing, adjective

Synonyms for addict

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. adherent, devotee; fanatic; junkie.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for addicting

perpetual, inveterate, chronic, repeated, addicted, hardened, discipline, school, adjust, inure, confirm, season, devote, acclimate, acclimatize, harden, train, addict, tolerate, familiarize

Examples from the Web for addicting

Contemporary Examples of addicting

The addicting ditty “One of These Things” was used to help children learn to compare and discern differences.
‘Sesame Street’ Is Middle-Aged and Awesome
Emily Shire
November 10, 2014
Each of the four main female characters in Witches of East End has their own fast-evolving and addicting storylines.
Lifetime’s ‘Witches of East End’ Is the Ultimate Witch Show
Anna Brand
November 21, 2013
Every sentence, every scene, works in service of the plot, which moves with addicting pace.
This Week’s Hot Reads: July 29, 2013
Jessica Ferri, Damaris Colhoun
July 29, 2013
The pace, rhythm, crazy spins, personalities, and, as I quickly learned, unique underground subculture were addicting.
Ping-Pong: America’s Most Overlooked Sport?
Matt Simon
August 12, 2012

Historical Examples of addicting

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 Dryden
Richard 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 Tales
Richard Garnett
Economists have of late been reproached with addicting themselves too much to the study of Wealth.
Harmonies of Political Economy
Frdric Bastiat

British Dictionary definitions for addicting

addict

verb (əˈdɪkt)

(tr; usually passive often foll by to) to cause (someone or oneself) to become dependent (on something, esp a narcotic drug)

noun (ˈædɪkt)

a person who is addicted, esp to narcotic drugs
informal a person who is devoted to somethinga jazz addict

Word Origin for addict

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for addicting

addict

1909, in reference to morphine, from addict (v.).

addict

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.

addicting in Medicine

addict

[ăd′ĭkt]

One who is addicted, as to narcotics or a compulsive activity.