addict
B2The noun is common in formal (medical, legal, social work) and informal contexts. The informal 'enthusiast' sense is more colloquial.
Definition
Meaning
A person who is physically and/or psychologically dependent on a particular substance (like drugs) or activity (like gambling), often to a harmful degree.
A person who is extremely enthusiastic about and devoted to a particular interest or activity, sometimes used informally and less pejoratively (e.g., 'a fitness addict').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a countable noun. Carries a strong negative connotation when referring to substance/behavioural dependence. The informal 'enthusiast' sense is often preceded by a noun (film addict, coffee addict) and is milder, sometimes humorous.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The verb form 'to addict' is obsolete and not used in modern English in either variety.
Connotations
Identical strong negative connotations for the primary meaning. The informal 'enthusiast' sense is equally common in both.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties in relevant contexts (health, media, social discourse).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
addict to NPaddict of NP (less common)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “addict of the first water (archaic)”
- “hophead (slang, dated)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in CSR/HR contexts regarding employee assistance programmes.
Academic
Common in psychology, sociology, medicine, and public health research.
Everyday
Very common in news, personal stories, and informal 'enthusiast' contexts.
Technical
Used with specific clinical criteria (e.g., DSM-5) in psychiatry.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is a chocolate addict.
- My brother is a football addict.
- The clinic helps drug addicts recover.
- She became a news addict during the election.
- As a recovering addict, he attends support meetings weekly.
- The documentary exposed the plight of gambling addicts.
- The novel's protagonist is a tragic addict, whose genius is eclipsed by his dependence.
- Policy makers are debating how best to reintegrate former addicts into the workforce.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ADDed to a habit' = ADD-ict. Someone who has added a harmful habit to their life.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADDICTION IS A TRAP / PRISON / DISEASE / MASTER. An addict is often described as being 'in the grip of', 'a slave to', or 'battling' their addiction.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'аддикт' (редкий калькированный вариант). Стандартный перевод — 'наркоман' (узко) или 'зависимый' (шире). Неформальное 'addict' как 'энтузиаст' может быть переведено как 'фанат', 'любитель'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'addict' as a verb (Wrong: 'He addicts to games.' Correct: 'He is a game addict' or 'He is addicted to games.').
- Confusing 'addict' (person) with 'addiction' (condition).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'addict' used in its informal, mild sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the verb form 'to addict' is archaic and not used in contemporary English. The correct verb is 'to be/become addicted to' something.
In clinical or sensitive contexts, terms like 'person with a substance use disorder' are often preferred to avoid labelling. 'Addict' can be perceived as stigmatizing, though it remains common in general use and media.
'Addict' implies a compulsive, often harmful lack of control. 'Enthusiast' suggests a strong, healthy interest. The informal use of 'addict' (e.g., 'fitness addict') bridges the two, implying great dedication but usually without the negative clinical connotations.
Noun: ADD-ict /ˈæd.ɪkt/. Adjective: ad-DICT-ed /əˈdɪk.tɪd/. The stress shifts from the first to the second syllable.