addict

1 of 2

noun

ad·​dict ˈa-(ˌ)dikt How to pronounce addict (audio)
plural addicts
Synonyms of addictnext
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 How to pronounce addict (audio)
addicted; addicting; addicts

transitive verb

: to cause addiction in (someone)
… the same … strategy used to addict people to slot machines …—Matt Klein
see also addicted entry 1, addicting entry 1

Synonyms of addict

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Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
At its center is a youngish man named Bob Arctor, an undercover cop who starts using drugs in order to infiltrate a house full of addicts in Southern California. — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Another one of music’s biggest acts, the beloved country star Jelly Roll, has also been frank about taking care of his mental health, amid personal struggles including his recent divorce as well as being a recovering addict. — Rob Ledonne, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
Reith’s most famous work was housed in an extension paid for by a pharmaceutical company’s success in addicting millions of people to opioids. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026 As demonstrated in Hijack and Lupin, Kay has a special knack for elevating standard-issue thriller material into giddily addicting TV with his above-average command of storytelling basics. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for addict

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

1655, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of addict was in 1655

Rhymes for addict

See All Rhymes for addict

Browse Nearby Words

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addict
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Cite this Entry

“Addict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addict. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

addict

1 of 2 verb
ad·​dict ə-ˈdikt How to pronounce addict (audio)
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 How to pronounce addict (audio)
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 How to pronounce addict (audio)
: to cause addiction in (someone)

addict

2 of 2 noun
ad·​dict ˈad-(ˌ)ikt How to pronounce addict (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce addict (audio)
: to cause (a person) to become physiologically dependent upon a drug

addict

2 of 2 noun
ad·​dict ˈa-dikt How to pronounce addict (audio)
: one who is addicted to a drug
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