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

• dopehead
• doper
• druggie
• druggy
• fiend
• freak [slang]
• head
• hophead [slang]
• hype [slang]
• junkie
• junky
• stoner
• user

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

After graduating college, Hyams worked with young addicts and alcoholics in a Los Angeles psychiatric hospital. —Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025

Grant seems to be moving through a few of the archetypes of the children of addicts. —Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2025

Verb

But no such medication exists for people addicted to meth or cocaine. —Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2025

With the help of 115 men who had been addicted to morphine, the Narco trial proved that methadone did, in fact, cause dependence. —Melody Glenn, TIME, 30 Jan. 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