wino

American  

[wahy-noh] / ˈwaɪ noʊ /

noun

Informal: Disparaging and Offensive.

plural

winos

1. an indiscriminate drinker of wine or other readily available alcoholic beverages who is frequently intoxicated, especially a derelict who lives on the streets.

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wino British  

/ ˈwaɪnəʊ /

noun

1. informal a person who habitually drinks wine as a means of getting drunk

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Etymology

Origin of wino

An Americanism dating back to 1915–20; wine + -o

Example Sentences

After their relationship ended, the tattoo was changed to read “wino for ever”, the court heard.

From The Guardian

Another prosecutor, taking notes on prospective jurors, described a black juror who drank as a “blk wino,” while describing a white juror who drank as “drinks — country boy — O.K.”

From New York Times

I didn't know I'd have to climb over junkies to go to school, or winos.

From Salon

Corona intimated his guilt for the first time in a 2011 parole hearing, saying the men were "winos" and had trespassed in the orchards.

From Los Angeles Times

With the exception of the massive budget, you just described a movie I played a wino in back in 1993 called "The Meteor Man," and yes, there was a "Meteor Man" comic book.

From Los Angeles Times