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
Synonyms
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
Joe Mullich, TIME, 30 May 2024
The Epcot activity popularized on social media calls for adults age 21 and over to try an alcoholic beverage from each of the eleven country pavilion represented around the park's World Showcase lagoon.
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 23 May 2024
Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024
Editors’ Picks The elder Mr. Carr was also an alcoholic, and Caleb grew up in bohemian chaos.
—Penelope Green, New York Times, 24 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for alcoholic 
Adjective
The company now brews the top-selling beer at Whole Foods, outpacing alcoholic suds.
—Joe Mullich, TIME, 30 May 2024
The Epcot activity popularized on social media calls for adults age 21 and over to try an alcoholic beverage from each of the eleven country pavilion represented around the park's World Showcase lagoon.
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 23 May 2024
Noun
Called Big Daddy, the Chief or the Old Man, Dederich was a recovering alcoholic with a harsh, booming voice and a face half-paralyzed by a childhood bout of meningitis.
—Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024
Editors’ Picks The elder Mr. Carr was also an alcoholic, and Caleb grew up in bohemian chaos.
—Penelope Green, New York Times, 24 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for alcoholic
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alcoholic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near alcoholic
Cite this Entry
“Alcoholic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcoholic. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
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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