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

Two videos from the the Detroit Free Press — one on an addict who helps others with substance abuse, and another on the tradition of polka dancing — were honored with Emmy awards by the 2024 Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. —Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 26 June 2024

Of course, members of Congress and their staffs are not the only addicts present on the Hill. —Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 June 2024

Verb

While many people addicted to food will say that their symptoms began to worsen significantly in adolescence, some recall a childhood focused on ultraprocessed food. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 27 June 2024

Suggested Reading Minnesota is trying to prove Juul got teens addicted on vaping in a first-of-its-kind trial Juul’s going up in smoke. —Miranda Neubauer, Quartz, 21 June 2024

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

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