ENGLISH
REFERENCE

addicted

adj.
US //əˈdɪktɪd// UK //ɐdˈɪktɪd// ad·dict·ed
  1. 1 physical or mental dependency (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    unable to stop taking a harmful substance or doing a harmful activity.

    physiologically or psychologically dependent on a habit-forming substance or activity. Usually follows the verb 'to be' and takes the preposition 'to'.

    Example

    He became addicted to cigarettes when he was a teenager and found it very hard to quit.

    Example

    Medical professionals are increasingly concerned about patients becoming addicted to prescription painkillers after undergoing major surgery.

    Usage

    Always used with the preposition 'to' followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form).
    Pitfall
    He is addicted from gambling.
    He is addicted to gambling.

    The adjective 'addicted' always takes the preposition 'to', never 'from' or 'with'.

  2. 2 very interested or obsessed (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    liking something so much that you want to do it all the time.

    enthusiastically devoted to a particular interest or activity. Often used in a lighthearted or hyperbolic manner.

    Example

    My sister is completely addicted to that new TV show and watched the whole season in one day.

    Example

    The younger generation appears addicted to short-form video content, spending hours scrolling through social media feeds every evening.

    Usage

    Often used with intensifying adverbs like 'completely', 'totally', or 'absolutely'.

Last updated June 20, 2026