# narcotic

/nɑɹˈkɑtɪk/ (US) · /nɑːkˈɒtɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/narcotic
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a powerful drug

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a strong drug that reduces pain and makes you sleepy, often one that is illegal or highly controlled.

For teachers: a substance, typically an opioid, that induces sleep and alleviates pain. Often used in legal contexts to refer to illicit substances.

- 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.

### 2. causing sleep or numbness

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

describing something that makes you feel sleepy or lessens pain.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The doctor prescribed a mild narcotic for my toothache.
- The patient was given a narcotic before the surgery to ensure they remained comfortable during the procedure.
- While the physician monitored the patient's vital signs closely, the narcotic was administered in controlled doses to manage the post-operative pain without causing excessive drowsiness.

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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.