Words / B2

AD-ikt/ˈædɪkt/

An addict cannot stop a harmful habit: a drug addict; a news addict (metaphor). Addiction and addictive are already in the dictionary. User is a more neutral health-service word in some guidance. Do not joke the word at a heavy coffee drinker in a serious paper. Clinics treat addicts and families.

Meaning

A person who cannot stop using a drug or doing something harmful.

Examples

• “The clinic treats addicts and also supports families.”
• “He called himself a news addict, which is informal metaphor — avoid in medical essays.”

Good to know

a drug / gambling addict. Related: addiction / addictive. Neutral care language: a person with a dependence. Metaphor: a news addict. Serious register.

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