addictive

American  

[uh-dik-tiv] / əˈdɪk tɪv /

adjective

1. null addicting producing or tending to cause addiction.

   an addictive drug.

2. more than normally susceptible to addiction.

   an addictive personality.

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addictive British  

/ əˈdɪktɪv /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or causing addiction

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Other Word Forms

• addictiveness noun
• nonaddictive adjective

Etymology

Origin of addictive

First recorded in 1935–40; addict + -ive

Example Sentences

The finished product is indulgent and addictive, flavoring the humble chia seed with freshly brewed Thai tea, maple syrup and vanilla extract, alongside a dollop of homemade coconut whipped cream.

From Salon

Australia's ban was justified by campaigners and the government as necessary to protect children from harmful content and addictive algorithms.

From BBC

Less than a day later in a courtroom a few states away, Meta lost a second suit, this one accusing it of designing its apps to be addictive and harmful.

From The Wall Street Journal

A young woman won a legal case against Meta and Google’s YouTube after accusing the companies of designing their apps to be addictive.

From Barron's

But attorney Mark Lanier framed the surprise victory in L.A. for his client — who alleged Instagram and YouTube were designed to be addictive for young users — as nothing short of a cosmic triumph.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• obsessive