# addicted

/əˈdɪktɪd/ (US) · /ɐdˈɪktɪd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. physical or mental dependency

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

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

### 2. very interested or obsessed

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

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

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

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

## Examples

- He is addicted to coffee and drinks five cups a day.
- Many teenagers find themselves addicted to social media, checking their notifications every few minutes throughout the day.
- While the patient was initially prescribed the medication for pain management, he soon became addicted, highlighting the urgent need for stricter oversight in pharmaceutical distribution.

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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.