alcoholic

1 of 2

adjective

al·​co·​hol·​ic ˌal-kə-ˈhȯ-lik How to pronounce alcoholic (audio)
-ˈhä-
Synonyms of alcoholicnext
1
a
: of, relating to, or caused by alcohol
an alcoholic odor
b
: containing alcohol
an alcoholic beverage
2
: affected with alcoholism
alcoholically
ˌal-kə-ˈhȯ-li-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce alcoholic (audio)
-ˈhä-
adverb

alcoholic

2 of 2

noun

: a person affected with alcoholism

Synonyms of alcoholic

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of alcoholic in a Sentence

Adjective a slightly more alcoholic wine She has an alcoholic uncle. Noun Her uncle is an alcoholic. one can be a social drinker without turning into an alcoholic
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
To make this non-alcoholic, use beef stock in place of the whiskey. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 28 June 2026 Beverage pavilions will be open with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase. — David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Noun
That’s an alcoholic who managed to quit drinking, but never dealt with the issues that drove him to drink in the first place. — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 8 June 2026 AlAnon is a support group for family and friends of alcoholics/addicts. — Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for alcoholic

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alcoholic was in 1789

Rhymes for alcoholic

See All Rhymes for alcoholic

Browse Nearby Words

alcohol by volume
alcoholic
alcoholism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alcoholic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcoholic. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

alcoholic

1 of 2 adjective
al·​co·​hol·​ic ˌal-kə-ˈhȯl-ik How to pronounce alcoholic (audio)
-ˈhäl-
1
: of, relating to, or containing alcohol
2
: affected with alcoholism
alcoholically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce alcoholic (audio)
adverb

alcoholic

2 of 2 noun
: a person affected with alcoholism

Medical Definition

alcoholic

1 of 2 adjective
al·​co·​hol·​ic ˌal-kə-ˈhȯl-ik, -ˈhäl- How to pronounce alcoholic (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or caused by alcohol
alcoholic hepatitis
b
: containing alcohol
2
: affected with alcoholism
alcoholically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce alcoholic (audio)
adverb

alcoholic

2 of 2 noun
: one affected with alcoholism

More from Merriam-Webster on alcoholic

Nglish: Translation of alcoholic for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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