addict

1 of 2

noun

ad·​dict ˈa-(ˌ)dikt 

plural addicts

1

: one exhibiting a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity

a drug addict

opioid addicts

a gambling addict

2

: one strongly inclined to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly

a television addict

chocolate addicts

addict

2 of 2

verb

ad·​dict ə-ˈdikt 

addicted; addicting; addicts

transitive verb

: to cause addiction in (someone)

addicts … find it convenient to addict several other persons

—D. W. Maurer and V. H. Vogel

Hard-core fitness freaks are addicting themselves to all manner of hybrid mind/body activities …

—Rick Marin et al.

see also addicted, addicting

Synonyms

Noun

• user
• freak [slang]
• junkie
• fiend

Examples of addict in a Sentence

Noun

an inspiring story about addicts who seek help and manage to kick their habit

science-fiction addicts who eagerly await each new installment in the series

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The youngest brother, Benjamin, a laudanum addict is the black sheep of the family and his costumes are equally dark and rugged. —Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025

Romería follows 18-year-old Marina, the daughter of drug addicts who died young of AIDS, who travels to the Atlantic coast of Spain to meet her paternal grandparents for the first time. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025

Verb

Vince and Jake are both addicts — the former is addicted to drugs and gambling, while the latter is addicted to his own brother. —Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2025

Founders may feel emotionally exhausted or addicted to the thrill of building. —Anuradha Gupta, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

derivative of addict entry 2

Verb

earlier, "to give over, surrender, apply or devote (oneself) habitually," borrowed from Latin addictus, past participle of addīcere "to assign (property), make over, hand over, surrender," from ad- ad- + dīcere "to speak, say" — more at diction

First Known Use

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1612, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for addict

• afflict
• constrict
• delict
• depict
• evict
• handpicked
• inflict
• predict
• relict
• restrict
• bricked
• clicked

Kids Definition

addict

1 of 2 verb

ad·​dict ə-ˈdikt 

1

: to devote or surrender oneself to something habitually

addicted to detective stories

2

: to cause to make a habit of using a drug

nicotine is addicting

addict

2 of 2 noun

ad·​dict ˈad-(ˌ)ikt 

1

: one who is addicted (as to a drug)

2

: a person devoted to something

a TV addict

Medical Definition

addict

1 of 2 transitive verb

ad·​dict ə-ˈdikt 

: to cause addiction in (someone)

addict

2 of 2 noun

ad·​dict ˈad-(ˌ)ikt 

: one exhibiting a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity

a drug addict

opioid addicts

a gambling addict

Legal Definition

addict

1 of 2 transitive verb

ad·​dict ə-ˈdikt 

: to cause (a person) to become physiologically dependent upon a drug

addict

2 of 2 noun

ad·​dict ˈa-dikt 

: one who is addicted to a drug