noun

addiction

uh-DIHK-shuhn

noun

A strong, often harmful, compulsion to keep using a substance or repeating a behavior, even when it causes problems.

"His addiction to alcohol cost him his job."

"The clinic specializes in treating gambling addiction."

How to Use Addiction

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA compulsive dependency on something that's hard to give up despite the harm it causes.

Common pairings

drug addiction battle an addiction addiction treatment

addictions plural

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His _____ to alcohol cost him his job.

From addict plus -ion. Ultimately from Latin addictio, originally a legal term for a court "awarding" someone as bound to another's service.

ion lion Zion Dion Sion union scion Orion Onion action minion bunion