alcoholics anonymous: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal, Medical, Support Group
Quick answer
What does “alcoholics anonymous” mean?
An international fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem with alcohol and help others recover from alcoholism.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An international fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem with alcohol and help others recover from alcoholism.
A specific twelve-step program and support group organization founded in 1935, often abbreviated as AA; also used more broadly to refer to the meetings, principles, or community associated with this recovery program.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The organization operates identically in both regions under the same name and principles.
Connotations
Equally carries connotations of recovery, support, confidentiality, and spiritual (non-religious) principles in both cultures.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties due to the global nature of the organization.
Grammar
How to Use “alcoholics anonymous” in a Sentence
[Person] attends/goes to Alcoholics Anonymous[Person] found help/support in Alcoholics AnonymousThe principles of Alcoholics AnonymousVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alcoholics anonymous” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He Alcoholics Anonymous-es every Tuesday.
American English
- She Alcoholics Anonymouses regularly.
adjective
British English
- He follows the Alcoholics Anonymous methodology.
American English
- She uses an Alcoholics Anonymous approach to recovery.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used except in workplace wellness or EAP (Employee Assistance Program) contexts.
Academic
Used in psychology, sociology, and public health research on addiction treatment.
Everyday
Common in discussions about recovery, personal health, or when someone references attending meetings.
Technical
Used in medical, therapeutic, and counseling settings as a specific intervention modality.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alcoholics anonymous”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alcoholics anonymous”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alcoholics anonymous”
- Writing in lowercase ('alcoholics anonymous')
- Using as a countable noun ('an Alcoholics Anonymous')
- Confusing with other 12-step programs (e.g., Narcotics Anonymous).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a spiritual but non-religious fellowship. It welcomes people of all faiths and none, focusing on a 'higher power' as defined individually.
No, there are no fees or dues. AA is self-supporting through voluntary contributions from members.
It refers to the principle of member anonymity at the public level, protecting privacy and ensuring the focus remains on principles, not personalities.
Most meetings are open to anyone interested, but some are 'closed' and only for those who have a desire to stop drinking.
An international fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem with alcohol and help others recover from alcoholism.
Alcoholics anonymous is usually formal, medical, support group in register.
Alcoholics anonymous: in British English it is pronounced /ˌælkəˈhɒlɪks əˈnɒnɪməs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌælkəˈhɑːlɪks əˈnɑːnɪməs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Working the program”
- “Taking it one day at a time”
- “Hitting rock bottom (often associated context)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Anonymous' because members use first names only for privacy, and 'Alcoholics' specifies the shared challenge.
Conceptual Metaphor
RECOVERY IS A FELLOWSHIP / SOBRIETY IS A SHARED JOURNEY
Practice
Quiz
What is Alcoholics Anonymous primarily?