alcoholic
[al-kuh-haw-lik, -hol-ik]
- of, relating to, or of the nature of alcohol.
- containing or using alcohol.
- caused by alcohol.
- suffering from alcoholism.
- preserved in alcohol.
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- Pathology. a person suffering from alcoholism.
- a person addicted to intoxicating drinks.
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Origin of alcoholic
Synonym study
6. See drunkard.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for alcoholic
Contemporary Examples
“No one set out to be an alcoholic,” Gil told writer Patrick Sisson.
‘The Prince of Chocolate City’: When Gil Scott-Heron Became A Music IconMarcus Baram
November 15, 2014
By the time Prohibition was on the menu, we were very much an “alcoholic Republic.”
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey is manufactured by Sazerac, an alcoholic beverage company based in Metairie, La.
I did think you had to end up on skid row if you were an alcoholic.
In St. Vincent, the actor plays a foulmouthed, alcoholic chain smoker with no regard for anyone but himself.
Historical Examples
This was undoubtedly a case of alcoholic blastophthoria and not ordinary heredity.
The Sexual QuestionAugust Forel
The huge still continued to trickle forth its alcoholic sweat.
L'AssommoirEmile Zola
An alcoholic reek like that from old brandy casks issued from his mouth.
L'AssommoirEmile Zola
Do not drink beer or whisky, or any other alcoholic liquors.
The Automobile Storage BatteryO. A. Witte
His garrulity might have an alcoholic basis, but his wits were clear enough.
The Market-PlaceHarold Frederic
alcoholic
- a person affected by alcoholism
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- of, relating to, containing, or resulting from alcohol
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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 alcoholic
adj.
1790, "of or pertaining to alcohol;" see alcohol + -ic. Meaning "caused by drunkenness" is attested by 1872; meaning "habitually drunk" by 1910. Noun sense of "one who is addicted to drinking in excess, chronic drunkard, old rounder" is recorded from 1891; earlier alcoholist (1888). Alcoholics Anonymous founded 1935 in Akron, Ohio, U.S. Alky is first recorded 1844 as a slang shortening of "alcoholic liquor;" 1960 in the sense of "a drunkard."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
alcoholic
(ăl′kə-hô′lĭk)- Related to or resulting from alcohol.
- Containing or preserved in alcohol.
- Suffering from alcoholism.
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- A person who drinks alcoholic substances habitually and to excess or who suffers from alcoholism.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.