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

Related Words

• hard
• spirituous