Word
drunkenness
Phoneticsdrunk·en·ness, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɹəŋkənnəs/
UK/dɹˈʌŋkənnəs/
Definition
n. the state of being drunk. You use this to describe how someone feels or acts when they have had too much alcohol.
n. the state of being intoxicated by alcohol. Often used to describe the physical and mental effects of excessive consumption.
Examples
“The drunkenness made it difficult for him to walk straight.”
“The police were called to the scene after a loud argument broke out due to drunkenness at the local bar.”
“While the legal limits for driving are clear, the effects of drunkenness on reaction time and judgment are often underestimated by those who have consumed only a small amount of alcohol.”
Examples
simple
“The drunkenness made it difficult for him to walk straight.”
contextual
“The police were called to the scene after a loud argument broke out due to drunkenness at the local bar.”
complex
“While the legal limits for driving are clear, the effects of drunkenness on reaction time and judgment are often underestimated by those who have consumed only a small amount of alcohol.”
Real-World Examples
“Those with the belief that mixing alcohol with energy drinks can get you more drunk experienced the biggest increase in drunkenness.” “Mindset can influence drunkenness (Credit: Getty Images)
People's prior beliefs about alcohol can strongly influence how they act when intoxicated – and even change their behaviour when they're sober, writes David Robson.” Etymology
From drunken + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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