# drunken

/ˈdɹəŋkən/ (US) · /dɹˈʌŋkən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. intoxicated

adjective · CEFR B2

being under the influence of too much alcohol.

For teachers: intoxicated by alcohol; used almost exclusively as an attributive adjective before a noun.

- The police stopped a drunken driver who was swerving across the road.
- The witness described a drunken man stumbling out of the tavern just moments before the accident occurred.

Usage: This adjective is attributive, meaning it typically appears before the noun it describes.

### 2. caused by alcohol

adjective · CEFR B2

happening because people have been drinking too much alcohol.

For teachers: characterized by or resulting from intoxication.

- The party ended in a drunken argument over who should pay the bill.
- The evening descended into a drunken brawl that required the intervention of local security forces.

### 3. habitual drinker

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describes someone who is often drunk or has a problem with alcohol.

For teachers: given to habitual excessive consumption of alcohol; often carries a derogatory or judgmental tone.

- In the old story, the hero's father was a drunken man who lost the family farm.
- The magistrate noted the defendant's long history of drunken behavior and public disturbance.

Teaching tip: This sense is often found in literature or formal legal contexts to describe a person's character rather than a temporary state.

## Examples

- The neighbors had a loud, drunken party last night.
- He gave a long, drunken speech at the wedding that made everyone feel quite uncomfortable.
- The novel depicts the protagonist's slow descent into a series of drunken misadventures, eventually leading to the loss of his career and his family's trust.

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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.