addict

[ noun ad-ikt; verb uh-dikt ]

/ noun ˈæd ɪkt; verb əˈdɪkt /

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.

Nearby words

adder's-meat, adder's-mouth, adder's-tongue, adderall, adderley, addict, addicted, addiction, addictive, addie, adding

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 FOR addict

1 adherent, devotee; fanatic; junkie.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR addict ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

In one point of view he committed a great error in addicting himself to the drama.
The Age of Dryden|Richard Garnett
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
Economists have of late been reproached with addicting themselves too much to the study of Wealth.
Harmonies of Political Economy|Frdric Bastiat
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

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 (1 of 2)

addict

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

Word Origin and History for addicting (1 of 2)

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.

addict

noun

verb (used with object)

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Nearby words

Origin of addict

Examples from the Web for addicting

British Dictionary definitions for addicting

addict

verb (əˈdɪkt)

noun (ˈædɪkt)

Word Origin for addict

Word Origin and History for addicting (1 of 2)

addict

Word Origin and History for addicting (1 of 2)

addict

Medicine definitions for addicting

addict

n.