ENGLISH
REFERENCE

drunkard

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈdɹəŋkɝd// UK //dɹˈʌŋkəd// drunk·ard Vulgar
Definition

n. a person who drinks too much alcohol and has a problem with it. This word is quite strong and can be seen as rude or offensive.

n. a person who habitually consumes excessive amounts of alcohol. Often carries a derogatory or judgmental tone in modern usage.


SIMPLE

The drunkard stumbled into the street after leaving the bar.

CONTEXTUAL

The local newspaper often used the term drunkard to describe the man who lived in the abandoned warehouse.

Origin

From earlier droncarde, from Middle English *druncard (attested as a surname, Druncard), possibly from Middle Low German drunkert, equivalent to drunk + -ard (“pejorative agent suffix”). Compare German Trunkart. Compare braggart.

Word family

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