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intoxicant

C1
UK/ɪnˈtɒksɪk(ə)nt/US/ɪnˈtɑːksɪkənt/

Formal, Technical, Academic, Legal

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A substance that causes intoxication, typically by altering mental or physical functions.

Any agent or influence that produces a state of excitement, euphoria, or overwhelming pleasure, often to a harmful or uncontrolled degree.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily a formal and legal/medical term. More specific than 'drug' as it emphasises the state of intoxication. Can be used metaphorically.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in definition or usage. Slightly more common in British legal/medical texts.

Connotations

Connotes a formal, scientific, or legalistic classification of a substance.

Frequency

Low frequency in everyday speech in both varieties; higher in specialised contexts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
dangerous intoxicantpowerful intoxicantillegal intoxicantprohibited intoxicantchemical intoxicant
medium
common intoxicantprimary intoxicantuse an intoxicantunder the influence of an intoxicant
weak
new intoxicantpotential intoxicanteffect of the intoxicant

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[substance] is a powerful intoxicantThe consumption/use of [intoxicant]to be under the influence of an intoxicant

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

drugnarcoticstimulantdepressant

Neutral

intoxicating substanceinebriantpsychoactive substance

Weak

agentsubstance

Vocabulary

Antonyms

antidotesobering agentneutraliser

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rare. Possibly in corporate drug policy documents: 'Employees must not be under the influence of any intoxicant at work.'

Academic

Common in pharmacology, public health, and legal studies: 'The study analysed the social harms associated with various legal and illegal intoxicants.'

Everyday

Very rare. 'Drug' or 'alcohol' are used instead.

Technical

Core usage. In legal statutes, medical reports, and toxicology: 'The driver's blood tested positive for multiple intoxicants.'

Examples

By CEFR Level

B1
  • Alcohol is a legal intoxicant in many countries.
B2
  • The new law categorises the chemical as a controlled intoxicant due to its psychoactive properties.
C1
  • Anthropologists have studied the use of plant-based intoxicants in ritual ceremonies across diverse cultures for millennia.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: INTOXICANT = what puts you INTO a state of INTOXICATION.

Conceptual Metaphor

SUBSTANCE AS A CAPTIVATOR/CONTROLLER (The intoxicant takes over the mind/body).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Do not confuse with 'токсин' (toxin). An intoxicant is 'опьяняющее вещество' or 'интоксикант'.
  • The adjective 'intoxicated' can mean 'drunk' or 'poisoned', but the noun 'intoxicant' strongly leans towards 'опьяняющее'.
  • Avoid using it as a direct synonym for 'наркотик' (narcotic) in all contexts, as it is a broader category.

Common Mistakes

  • Using it in casual conversation (overly formal).
  • Confusing it with 'toxicant' (a poison).
  • Pronouncing it as /ɪnˈtɒksɪkænt/ (wrong stress or vowel).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The police report stated the driver was impaired by an unknown .
Multiple Choice

In which context is the word 'intoxicant' MOST appropriately used?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Alcohol is one type of intoxicant. 'Intoxicant' is the broader category that includes alcohol, drugs, and other substances that cause intoxication.

Typically, it refers to ingested, inhaled, or injected substances. Metaphorically, one might say 'the intoxicant of power', but this is rare and poetic.

A toxin is a poison produced biologically (e.g., snake venom, botulinum). An intoxicant specifically alters mental state, often for recreational purposes, though it may also be toxic.

No, it is a formal, technical word. In everyday speech, people say 'drug', 'alcohol', or 'substance'.