alcoholic

1 of 2

adjective

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

alcoholic

2 of 2

noun

: a person affected with alcoholism

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
The lawsuit alleges the restaurant violated the Texas Dram Shop Act by failing to uphold its staff to safely sell alcoholic beverages. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024 The process was named after French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur, who refined the process to use in alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine, later adapting the method to milk as a way to remove bovine tuberculosis in the US and Europe in the early 1900s. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
Protagonist Cyrus Shams — son of one of the passengers, poet and recovering alcoholic — is coming straight for your heart. Rachel Flynn, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024 One that really hit him was Pepper Pong, created by Tom Filippini, a recovering alcoholic, as a way to gather friends and family that doesn’t involve drinking. Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near alcoholic

Cite this Entry

“Alcoholic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcoholic. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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 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 adverb

alcoholic

2 of 2 noun
: one affected with alcoholism

More from Merriam-Webster on alcoholic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!