dipsomania: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, clinical, literary
Quick answer
What does “dipsomania” mean?
An uncontrollable, typically periodic craving for alcoholic drink.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An uncontrollable, typically periodic craving for alcoholic drink.
A medical or psychiatric term for a severe and compulsive form of alcoholism, often characterized by episodes of binge drinking interspersed with periods of abstinence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or core usage. Both varieties use the term in formal/medical registers.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries strong connotations of a clinical, archaic, or dramatic condition. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical/literary contexts.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both dialects. Slightly higher passive recognition in UK due to historical medical texts, but equally rare in active use.
Grammar
How to Use “dipsomania” in a Sentence
suffer from + dipsomaniabe afflicted with + dipsomaniaa case of + dipsomaniaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dipsomania” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No common verb form]
American English
- [No common verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No common adverb form]
American English
- [No common adverb form]
adjective
British English
- His dipsomaniac tendencies became apparent during his university years.
- The dipsomaniac patient was admitted for detoxification.
American English
- She wrote about her dipsomaniac uncle in her memoir.
- The character's dipsomaniac episodes drive the plot.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or medical history papers to describe past diagnoses.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound highly formal or pretentious.
Technical
Used in psychiatry/medical history; modern clinical diagnostics prefer 'alcohol use disorder'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dipsomania”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dipsomania”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dipsomania”
- Using it to mean simply 'enjoying drinks socially'.
- Pronouncing it as /daɪp-/ (like 'dipstick') instead of /dɪp-/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Dipsomania is an archaic, clinical term for a severe, compulsive form of alcoholism, often implying periodic binge drinking. Modern medicine uses 'alcohol use disorder'.
It would sound very formal, clinical, or even pretentious in everyday talk. Simpler terms like 'alcoholism' or 'drinking problem' are far more common.
Dipsomania refers to the compulsive craving and drinking behaviour itself. Delirium tremens is a severe, acute symptom of alcohol withdrawal (hallucinations, tremors) that can occur in someone with a severe condition like dipsomania.
Yes. It comes from Greek 'dipsa' (thirst) + 'mania' (madness, frenzy).
An uncontrollable, typically periodic craving for alcoholic drink.
Dipsomania is usually formal, clinical, literary in register.
Dipsomania: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪp.səˈmeɪ.ni.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪp.soʊˈmeɪ.ni.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'DIP your SOul in MANIA' for alcohol – a manic compulsion to dip into drink.
Conceptual Metaphor
ALCOHOL CRAVING IS A DISEASE / AN INVADING FORCE (e.g., 'afflicted by', 'suffers from').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'dipsomania' MOST appropriately used today?