bibulous

American  

[bib-yuh-luhs] / ˈbɪb yə ləs /

adjective

1. fond of or addicted to drink.

2. absorbent; spongy.

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bibulous British  

/ ˈbɪbjʊləs /

adjective

1. addicted to alcohol

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonbibulousness
  noun
• nonbibulous
  adjective
• nonbibulously
  adverb
• unbibulous
  adjective
• unbibulousness
  noun
• bibulously
  adverb
• bibulousness
  noun
• unbibulously
  adverb
• bibulosity
  noun

Etymology

Origin of bibulous

1665–75; < Latin bibulus ( bib ( ere ) to drink (cognate with Sanskrit píbati (he) drinks) + -ulus -ulous )

Explanation

The adjective bibulous describes something that is highly absorbent, like a towel or sponge that soaks up liquid well. A bibulous person, however, is someone who likes to drink alcohol. Bibulous, pronounced "BIB-you-luhs," comes from the Latin word bibere, which means "to drink." You may recognize this root in the verb imbibe, which often means "to consume alcohol." As it applies to people, bibulous means "likes to drink alcohol." So don't make the mistake of using it to describe someone who seems to soak up information or understand complicated ideas quickly.