al·co·hol·ic
ˌal-kə-ˈhȯ-lik 
-ˈhä-
1
a
: of, relating to, or caused by alcohol
an alcoholic odor
b
: containing alcohol
an alcoholic beverage
2
: affected with alcoholism
: 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
Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2025
Aside from being a trending alternative to normal alcoholic beverages, the popularity of the trend can also be attributed to a number of places legalizing it.
—Ronny Maye, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
George Ramsay and Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
An alcoholic, my mother was highly abusive, both psychologically and physically.
—Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alcoholic
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Adjective
According to a new paper published in the journal Current Biology, the observational data is the first evidence of the sharing of alcoholic foods among nonhuman great apes in the wild.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2025
Aside from being a trending alternative to normal alcoholic beverages, the popularity of the trend can also be attributed to a number of places legalizing it.
—Ronny Maye, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
Her father was an alcoholic, while her mother, separately, was in an abusive relationship, eventually leading Tui to find a home at a women’s refuge.
—George Ramsay and Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
An alcoholic, my mother was highly abusive, both psychologically and physically.
—Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alcoholic
Cite this Entry
“Alcoholic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcoholic. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
alcoholic
1 of 2 adjective
al·co·hol·ic
ˌal-kə-ˈhȯl-ik
-ˈhäl-
1
: of, relating to, or containing alcohol
2
: affected with alcoholism
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-
1
a
: of, relating to, or caused by alcohol
alcoholic hepatitis
b
: containing alcohol
2
: affected with alcoholism
alcoholic
2 of 2 noun
: one affected with alcoholism
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