addictive

[uh-dik-tiv]

See more synonyms for addictive on Thesaurus.com

adjective

producing or tending to cause addiction: an addictive drug.
more than normally susceptible to addiction: an addictive personality.

Origin of addictive

First recorded in 1935–40; addict + -ive

Related formsad·dic·tive·ness, nounnon·ad·dic·tive, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for addictive

Contemporary Examples

It remains a Schedule I narcotic to this day, considered as dangerous and addictive by the federal government as heroin and MDMA.
Pot-Smoking Grannies, Jimmy Fallon Covers U2, and More Viral Videos
The Daily Beast Video
November 23, 2014
Its addictive “sidebar of shame” catalogues every celebrity roll of fat, fashion faux pas, and shaky early-morning nightclub exit.
Hollywood vs. The Daily Mail: George Clooney and Angelina Jolie Take On The UK's Leanest, Meanest Gossip Machine
Lizzie Crocker, Lloyd Grove
July 12, 2014
His focus on the grim and the disturbing is beautiful, and becomes rhythmic, atmospheric, and addictive.
Teju Cole’s Keen Eye Spares No One—Himself Included
Benjamin Lytal
July 9, 2014
Instead of lessons about the dangerous, addictive, and deadly qualities of prescription opioids, he got lessons on relieving pain.
America’s Oxy-Express Route to Heroin Addiction
Abby Haglage
May 15, 2014
I understand all too well how addictive the technology in our pockets can feel.
Patients, Put Down Your Smartphones
Russell Saunders
May 5, 2014

Historical Examples

Free and fun -- addictive social games with lots of cool people playing them from all over the world.
Little Brother
Cory Doctorow
He should have reasoned that out long ago; he should have realized it was impossible to have immunity to an addictive drug.
Love Story
Irving E. Cox, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for addictive

addictive

adjective

of, relating to, or causing addiction

Derived Formsaddictiveness, noun

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 addictive

adj.

1815, a word in chemistry and medicine; 1939 in the narcotics sense, from addict (v.) + -ive. Related: Addictively; addictiveness.

addictive

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}addictive

Examples from the Web for addictive

Contemporary Examples

It remains a Schedule I narcotic to this day, considered as dangerous and addictive by the federal government as heroin and MDMA.

Its addictive “sidebar of shame” catalogues every celebrity roll of fat, fashion faux pas, and shaky early-morning nightclub exit.

His focus on the grim and the disturbing is beautiful, and becomes rhythmic, atmospheric, and addictive.

Instead of lessons about the dangerous, addictive, and deadly qualities of prescription opioids, he got lessons on relieving pain.

I understand all too well how addictive the technology in our pockets can feel.

Historical Examples

Free and fun -- addictive social games with lots of cool people playing them from all over the world.

He should have reasoned that out long ago; he should have realized it was impossible to have immunity to an addictive drug.

addictive

Word Origin and History for addictive

adj.

Origin of addictive