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diabetic

American  
[dahy-uh-bet-ik] / ˌdaɪ əˈbɛt ɪk /

adjective

  1. of or relating to diabetes or persons having diabetes.

  2. having or resulting from diabetes.


noun

  1. a person who has diabetes.

diabetic British  
/ ˌdaɪəˈbɛtɪk /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or having diabetes

  2. for the use of diabetics

    diabetic chocolate

"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

noun

  1. a person who has diabetes

"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

Usage

Rather than talking about a diabetic or diabetics , it is better to talk about a person with diabetes , people with diabetes

Other Word Forms

  • antidiabetic adjective
  • nondiabetic adjective
  • undiabetic adjective

Etymology

Origin of diabetic

First recorded in 1790–1800; diabet(es) + -ic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"He died on February 14 and had been suffering for a year: he had heart problems and was diabetic," his wife told AFP.

From Barron's

For patients with diabetic neuropathy, the technique could allow physicians to monitor both nerve structure and oxygen supply in a single scan.

From Science Daily

As he comes from a family of diabetics, the 42-year-old is now concerned another medical issue could force him into debt once again.

From BBC

Because it turned out that he was good at delivering meals, at making sure the diabetics never got the kosher boxes or the vegetarians the meat ones.

From Literature

“I’m diabetic,” he explains when he sees me looking.

From Literature