English Reference

Word

diabetic

Phoneticsdi·a·bet·ic

US/ˌdaɪəˈbɛtɪk/

UK/dˌaɪəbˈɛtɪk/

Definitions

01having diabetes

B2 · Medicine

adj. having the medical condition called diabetes.

adj. suffering from or affected by diabetes, typically diabetes mellitus.

“The doctor gave the diabetic patient a new plan for checking their blood sugar.”

“The study followed a group of diabetic patients over five years to monitor the long-term effects of the new medication on their glucose levels.”

02suitable for diabetes

B2 · Cooking

adj. made specifically for people with diabetes, usually with less sugar.

adj. formulated or suitable for consumption by individuals with diabetes, often characterized by low glycemic index or reduced sugar content.

“The bakery sells diabetic chocolate that uses a special sweetener instead of sugar.”

“The nutritionist recommended a diabetic diet rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates to help maintain steady insulin levels throughout the day.”

Synonyms

sugar-freelow-glycemic

03a person with diabetes

B2 · Medicine

n. a person who has diabetes.

n. a person diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

“As a diabetic, he always carries a small snack in case his blood sugar drops.”

“The support group provides a space for diabetics to share their experiences and discuss the daily challenges of managing the chronic condition.”

Usage

While common in medical contexts, some modern style guides prefer 'person with diabetes' to avoid defining someone solely by their condition.

Teaching tip

In modern healthcare, 'person with diabetes' is often preferred over the noun 'diabetic' to be more person-centered.

Real-World Examples

“Fasting on GLP-1s carries the biggest risks for diabetic patients.”
The Conversation · 16 Sept 2026

Etymology

From diabetes + -ic. Doublet of diabatic.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

diabetesNoundiabeticAdjective

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/diabetic

English Reference