dipso: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / ArchaicInformal, Slang, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “dipso” mean?
A person who is addicted to drinking alcohol.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is addicted to drinking alcohol; a chronic drunkard.
Used as a slang or informal term for an alcoholic, often with a humorous, dismissive, or mildly contemptuous tone. Can also be used as an attributive adjective.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Largely archaic in both variants. Historically, it was equally informal and pejorative. No significant regional variation.
Connotations
Humorous, dismissive, slightly theatrical. It sounds old-fashioned and is not a modern synonym for 'alcoholic'.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary usage. More likely to be encountered in 19th or early 20th century texts or in period dramas.
Grammar
How to Use “dipso” in a Sentence
the [adjective] dipsoa dipso of [place]to call someone a dipsoVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dipso” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not used as a verb]
American English
- [Not used as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- He had a dipso uncle who was a regular at the pub.
- She avoided the dipso neighbour on his nightly stroll.
American English
- The town's dipso character was known to everyone.
- It was a dipso haze he couldn't seem to escape.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Unacceptable. Would be considered highly unprofessional and archaic.
Academic
Unacceptable, except perhaps in historical or literary analysis of slang.
Everyday
Virtually never used in modern everyday speech. Would sound odd or humorous.
Technical
Not used in medical, psychological, or social work contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dipso”
- Using it in a formal context.
- Assuming it is a current, common term.
- Pronouncing it /daɪp.soʊ/ (like 'dipole').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal, pejorative, and now archaic slang term. It is not polite.
No, 'dipso' is exclusively a noun (and sometimes an attributive adjective). The related term 'dipsomania' is a noun, and 'dipsomaniac' is the formal noun for the person.
No, it is extremely rare and considered archaic. Learners are very unlikely to encounter it outside of older literature or very specific, stylized usage.
'Alcoholic' can be a neutral, clinical term or a self-identifier. 'Dipso' is always a slang label applied to someone else, implying contempt or humorous dismissal, and is not a modern synonym.
A person who is addicted to drinking alcohol.
Dipso is usually informal, slang, archaic in register.
Dipso: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪp.səʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪp.soʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms with 'dipso']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of DIPS-O: 'Drinks Immensely, Permanently Sozzled – Oh!'
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PERSON IS THEIR VICE (metonymy).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'dipso' be LEAST appropriate?