drinking

[dring-king]

adjective

1. suitable or safe to drink.

   drinking water.

2. used in drinking.

   a drinking glass.

3. addicted to or indulging excessively in alcohol.

   Is he a drinking man?

4. of or relating to the act of drinking, especially the drinking of alcohol.

   a drinking companion.

noun

1. habitual and excessive consumption of alcohol.

   His drinking caused him to lose his job.

Other Word Forms

• undrinking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of drinking¹

A Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; drink, -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

“We would say, boy, Mormons just make great TV. I don’t know if it’s the air, or maybe the not drinking, but there’s something about Utah that breeds great personalities and beautiful people.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mind you, I have no objection to drinking a good domestic wine on Thanksgiving, and I’m a fan of many.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Then others in the gang opened fire with Kalashnikovs on people drinking in bars and cafés not far from the Bataclan.

Read more on BBC

It can also enter drinking water when spills or improper disposal contaminate soil and groundwater.

Read more on Science Daily

Fish trader Prince Mamun, 42, said he has been drinking Carew for two decades.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• expenditure 
• utilization