# addict

/ˈæˌdɪkt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/addict
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. person with a dependency

noun · CEFR B2

a person who cannot stop taking a drug or doing a particular activity.

For teachers: a person who is physiologically or psychologically dependent on a habit-forming substance or activity.

- He went to a clinic to get help because he was a drug addict.
- The clinic provides comprehensive support for every recovering addict, focusing on both the physical withdrawal and the underlying psychological triggers.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'to' when specifying the substance.

### 2. an enthusiastic fan

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

someone who is very interested in something and spends a lot of time on it.

For teachers: an enthusiastic devotee or fan of a particular activity or interest.

- My sister is a total fitness addict and goes to the gym every morning.
- As a self-proclaimed news addict, she spends her entire morning commute scrolling through various international journalism apps.

### 3. to cause dependency

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to make someone become dependent on a drug or a habit.

For teachers: to cause someone to become physiologically or psychologically dependent on a substance or practice.

- The company was accused of trying to addict children to sugary snacks.
- The lawsuit alleged that the pharmaceutical company intentionally designed the medication to addict patients, ensuring long-term reliance on their product.

Usage: Usually used in the passive voice ('be addicted to') or as a transitive verb followed by an object.

## Examples

- He is a coffee addict and drinks five cups a day.
- The clinic provides support for any drug addict who is ready to start the recovery process.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.