Word
inebriated
Phoneticsine·bri·at·ed
US/ˌɪˈnɛbɹiˌeɪtəd/
UK/ɪnˈiːbɹɪˌeɪtɪd/
Definition
adj. very drunk from alcohol, so you cannot think, speak, or move normally.
adj. affected by alcohol to the point of impaired speech, coordination, and judgment. Often used predicatively as a more formal equivalent of 'drunk'.
Examples
“He is clearly inebriated and needs a ride home.”
“The security staff refuse entry to inebriated guests after midnight to keep the club safe.”
“The witness appeared inebriated on the stand, his answers growing vague and contradictory as the cross-examination wore on.”
Examples
simple
“He is clearly inebriated and needs a ride home.”
contextual
“The security staff refuse entry to inebriated guests after midnight to keep the club safe.”
complex
“The witness appeared inebriated on the stand, his answers growing vague and contradictory as the cross-examination wore on.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “inebriated” in context.
Verb
01. appear inebriated
“The driver appeared inebriated, so officers administered a breath test.”
verb + adj
02. become inebriated
“He became inebriated after only three strong cocktails.”
verb + adj
03. get inebriated
“They got inebriated at the wedding reception and needed taxis home.”
verb + adj
04. inebriated slur
“The inebriated guest slurred his words during the interview.”
adj + verb
05. inebriated stagger
“The inebriated man staggered across the road, shouting incoherently.”
adj + verb
Adjective
06. heavily inebriated
“Police found him heavily inebriated and unable to stand without support.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. inebriated driver
“An inebriated driver caused a serious collision on the motorway.”
adj + noun
08. inebriated guest
“Security escorted the inebriated guest out of the hotel lobby.”
adj + noun
09. inebriated state
“In his inebriated state, he agreed to a deal he later regretted.”
adj + noun
10. become heavily inebriated
“After the third bottle, they became heavily inebriated.”
11. get inebriated on wine
“They got inebriated on cheap wine at the student party.”
12. heavily inebriated driver
“A heavily inebriated driver was arrested near the city centre.”
Real-World Examples
“Defense attorney David Moyse urged the jury to recognize that Sophia Negroponte was so inebriated that night that she could not have formed the intent to kill.” “During a dinner banquet, Kim appeared somewhat inebriated, with a flushed face and unfocused gaze.” Etymology
From Latin inēbriātus, past participle of inēbriō (“intoxicate”) from in- + ēbrius (“drunk, intoxicated”) from Proto-Italic ēɣʷrjos, from Proto-Indo-European h₁ēgʷʰ-ryo-s from root *h₁egʷʰ- (“drink”); whence also ebrious and inebriate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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