Is 'drunk' or 'drunken' used as an adjective?

'Drunk' is the predicative adjective (He is drunk). 'Drunken' is usually the attributive adjective (a drunken man, drunken stupor). 'Drunken' can sound more literary or old-fashioned.

What's the difference between 'drunk' and 'intoxicated'?

'Intoxicated' is more formal, clinical, or legal. 'Drunk' is the common, direct term. You'd see 'intoxicated' on a police report but hear 'drunk' in conversation.

Can 'drunk' be used in a positive sense?

Rarely for alcohol. Its extended meanings can be positive (drunk with happiness, drunk on success), implying being overpowered by a positive emotion.

Why do native speakers often get 'drank' and 'drunk' confused?

Due to analogy with verbs where the past simple and past participle are identical (e.g., 'bring/brought/brought'). In many dialects, 'drank' is used informally for both past roles, though 'drunk' remains the standard past participle.

drunk

UK/drʌŋk/US/drʌŋk/

Informal, slightly informal to formal depending on context; other synonyms cover more formal registers.

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

Affected by alcohol to the extent of losing control of one's faculties; intoxicated.

Overcome by or as if by a strong feeling, emotion, or power (e.g., drunk on power, drunk with excitement). Also, archaic: to have drunk (the past participle of 'drink').

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily an adjective. As the past participle of 'drink', its use as a verb ('I have drunk the water') is standard but less frequent. The noun 'drunk' (meaning a person who is drunk or an alcoholic) is informal and often derogatory.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Usage as an adjective is identical. The verb form 'drunk' (past participle) is standard in both, but 'drank' is often incorrectly used as a past participle in informal American English.

Connotations

In both, the adjective 'drunk' is direct and can sound accusatory. British English might use more euphemisms (e.g., 'tired and emotional', 'had a few'). The noun 'drunk' for a person is pejorative in both.

Frequency

Equally common and core in both varieties for the adjective meaning.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

blind drunkdead drunkhopelessly drunkget drunkheavily drunk

medium

quite drunka bit drunkdrunk driverdrunk and disorderly

weak

slightly drunkappeared drunkacting drunkdrunk man/woman

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[SUBJ] be/get/become drunk[SUBJ] be drunk on (wine/power)[SUBJ] have drunk (something)[SUBJ] appear/seem drunk

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

hammeredsloshedwastedplasteredleglessblotto

Neutral

intoxicatedunder the influenceinebriated

Weak

tipsymerrybuzzedlight-headed

Vocabulary

Antonyms

soberclear-headedabstinentteetotal

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“drunk as a skunk”
“drunk as a lord”
“drunk tank”
“driving under the influence (DUI)”
“drunk on power/success”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Highly inappropriate in most formal business contexts. May appear in policy documents ('dismissal for being drunk at work') or legal discussions.

Academic

Rare in formal academic writing except in specific fields like sociology, public health, or literature studies.

Everyday

Very common in informal conversation, though often replaced by softer synonyms among acquaintances.

Technical

Used in legal, medical, and law enforcement contexts with precise definitions (e.g., 'drunk driving', 'blood alcohol level').

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

He hasn't drunk any tea all day.
She had drunk the entire bottle before we arrived.

American English

I've never drunk coffee that strong.
They had already drunk all the lemonade.

adverb

British English

(Rare/Archaic) They would talk drunk into the early hours.

American English

(Rare/Archaic) He sang drunk and out of tune.

adjective

British English

He was too drunk to remember his address.
After the party, several guests were absolutely legless drunk.

American English

She got drunk on just two cocktails.
The police arrested him for being drunk in public.

Examples

By CEFR Level

He drank too much beer and is now drunk.
Don't drive a car if you are drunk.

She felt a bit drunk after the champagne.
He got drunk at his brother's wedding.

The politician was accused of being drunk on power.
Witnesses stated the driver appeared visibly drunk.

Inebriated beyond reason, he was a caricature of a drunk aristocrat.
Having drunk deeply from the well of experience, she offered sage advice.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a DRUNK SKUNK: the 'unk' in both words rhymes with the feeling of being sunk.

Conceptual Metaphor

INTOXICATION IS BEING FILLED/CONSUMED (drunk with joy); INEBRIATION IS A PHYSICAL STATE (legless, plastered); LACK OF CONTROL IS A CONTAINER (spilling over).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid directly translating 'пьяный' as 'drunk' in all contexts—it can be too strong. 'Tipsy' or 'had a bit to drink' might be better for slight intoxication.
The noun 'drunk' (a drunk) translates to 'пьяница'/'алкоголик' and is derogatory.
Confusion with verb tenses: 'I drank' (past simple) vs. 'I have drunk' (past participle).

Common Mistakes

Using 'drank' as a past participle ('I have drank' - incorrect).
Using 'drunk' as the simple past ('I drunk it' - incorrect).
Overusing 'drunk' in formal contexts where 'intoxicated' is preferable.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After the celebration, he had .

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the correct past participle form of the verb 'to drink' in standard English?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: 'Drunk' is the predicative adjective (He is drunk). 'Drunken' is usually the attributive adjective (a drunken man, drunken stupor). 'Drunken' can sound more literary or old-fashioned.
: 'Intoxicated' is more formal, clinical, or legal. 'Drunk' is the common, direct term. You'd see 'intoxicated' on a police report but hear 'drunk' in conversation.
: Rarely for alcohol. Its extended meanings can be positive (drunk with happiness, drunk on success), implying being overpowered by a positive emotion.
: Due to analogy with verbs where the past simple and past participle are identical (e.g., 'bring/brought/brought'). In many dialects, 'drank' is used informally for both past roles, though 'drunk' remains the standard past participle.