Addictive

English

Etymology

First attested 1914. Addiction in modern sense is first attested 1906, in reference to opium. There is an isolated instance from 1779, with reference to tobacco.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /əˈdɪktɪv/

Adjective

Addictive (comparative more Addictive, superlative most Addictive)

1. Causing or tending to cause addiction; habit-forming.

   These are addictive drugs.

2. Characterized by or susceptible to addiction.

   He has an addictive personality.

Synonyms

• habit-forming

Antonyms

• nonaddictive

Related terms

• addict
• addicted
• addicting
• addiction

Derived terms

• addictively
• addictiveness
• addictive personality

Noun

Addictive (plural Addictives)

1. A drug that causes an addiction.
2. Anything that is very habit-forming.