What does "addictive" mean?

1. (causing physical or mental dependency) describes a substance or activity that makes you want to keep doing it, even if it is bad for you. 2. (very enjoyable and hard to stop) describes something so fun or interesting that you want to do it all the time. 3. (an addictive thing) a drug or an activity that causes someone to become addicted.

How do you use "addictive"?

Often used with the adverb 'highly'. Rarely used as a noun in modern general English; usually functions as an adjective.

addictive

adj. · n.

US //əˈdɪktɪv// UK //ɐdˈɪktɪv// ad·dic·tive

1 causing physical or mental dependency (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

describes a substance or activity that makes you want to keep doing it, even if it is bad for you.

causing or tending to cause physiological or psychological addiction through regular use or engagement.

Example

Nicotine is a highly addictive substance found in cigarettes.

Example

Medical researchers have identified specific neural pathways that become hyper-responsive when exposed to addictive chemical compounds over an extended period.

Usage

Often used with the adverb 'highly'.
- habit forming
- compulsive
- non addictive
2 very enjoyable and hard to stop (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

describes something so fun or interesting that you want to do it all the time.

highly engaging or enjoyable in a way that encourages repetitive participation; often used for media or games.

Example

That new puzzle game on my phone is so addictive that I played it for three hours.

Example

The developers designed the interface to be intentionally addictive, using frequent rewards and sensory feedback to ensure high user retention rates.
- boring
- uninteresting

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3 an addictive thing (n.)
C2 Proficiency Formal Technical

a drug or an activity that causes someone to become addicted.

a substance or stimulus that functions as an agent of addiction.

Example

The doctor explained that the medicine could act as an addictive if taken for too long.

Example

The report categorised several common household chemicals as potential addictives if misused by vulnerable populations.

Usage

Rarely used as a noun in modern general English; usually functions as an adjective.
- narcotic
- fixation

Origin

First attested 1914. Addiction in modern sense is first attested 1906, in reference to opium. There is an isolated instance from 1779, with reference to tobacco.