noun

addict

AD-ihkt

noun

A person who is dependent on a harmful substance and cannot easily stop using it.

"The clinic offers support for recovering addicts."

"He became an addict after years of using painkillers."

(informal) A person with a strong enthusiasm for something.

"She's a self-confessed chocolate addict."

"He's a total news addict, checking headlines every hour."

verb

To cause someone to become dependent on something, or to become dependent oneself.

"The drug is designed to relieve pain without addicting the patient."

How to Use Addict

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who is dependent on a substance, or, loosely, someone with an intense enthusiasm for something.

When to use it

The casual sense ("chocolate addict," "gym addict") is informal and much lighter than the clinical meaning.

Common pairings

drug addict recovering addict self-confessed addict

Word Forms

more addict comparative, addicted past tense, addicts plural, addicts singular, most addict superlative

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The clinic offers support for recovering _____.

Etymology

From Latin addictus, past participle of addicere, "to award or bind someone to something" — originally a legal term for a court assigning a person to another's service.

Synonyms

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abuser fiend wastoid consecrate dedicate devote adapt fit

Antonyms

abstainer mainstreamer nonaddict

Related Words

abuser friend fit beautiful alter consecrate fan weak

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