Word
narcotic
Phoneticsnar·cot·ic, stress on the second syllable
US/nɑɹˈkɑtɪk/
UK/nɑːkˈɒtɪk/
Definitions
01a powerful drug
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a strong drug that reduces pain and makes you sleepy, often one that is illegal or highly controlled.
n. a substance, typically an opioid, that induces sleep and alleviates pain. Often used in legal contexts to refer to illicit substances.
Español:narcótico
“The doctor prescribed a strong narcotic to help the patient manage the pain after surgery.”
“Law enforcement officials seized a significant shipment of narcotics that was being smuggled across the border in a commercial vehicle.”
Usage
In legal contexts, the term often refers specifically to illegal drugs, whereas in medicine it refers to pain-relieving drugs that cause sleepiness.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02causing sleep or numbness
C1 · Advanced Science Technical · Formal
adj. describing something that makes you feel sleepy or lessens pain.
adj. having the property of inducing narcosis, sleep, or insensibility.
“The plant has a narcotic effect that can make people feel very drowsy.”
“The chemical compound was found to have potent narcotic properties, leading the researchers to suggest its use as a sedative.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Narcotics are a group of drugs with chemical structures similar to that of opium, a medicine derived from the sap of the opium poppy.” “Opium is a non-synthetic narcotic extracted from the poppy plant and made into a liquid, powder, or solid.” Etymology
From Middle English narcotyk, from Middle French narcotique (from Old French narcotique, noun use of adjective) and directly from Medieval Latin narcōticum, from Ancient Greek ναρκωτῐκόν (narkōtĭkón), neuter of ναρκωτῐκός (narkōtĭkós), from Ancient Greek ναρκόω (narkóō, “to benumb”), from νάρκη (nárkē, “numbness, torpor”).
From Middle French narcotique or German narkotisch and directly from Medieval Latin narcōticus, from Ancient Greek ναρκωτῐκός (narkōtĭkós).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- 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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QR code
englishreference.com/q/narcotic
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0