addict Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun someone who is so ardently devoted to something that it resembles an addiction
nut; freak; junkie; junky.
- a golf addict
- a car nut
- a bodybuilding freak
- a news junkie
noun someone who is physiologically dependent on a substance; abrupt deprivation of the substance produces withdrawal symptoms
verb to cause (someone or oneself) to become dependent (on something, especially a narcotic drug)
hook.

L. addictus, p. p. of addicere to adjudge, devote; ad + dicere to say. See Diction.

imperfect & past participle Addicted; present participle & verbal noun Addicting

To apply habitually; to devote; to habituate; -- with to. "They addict themselves to the civil law." Evelyn.
He is addicted to his study. Beau. & Fl.

That part of mankind that addict their minds to speculations. Adventurer.

His genius addicted him to the study of antiquity. Fuller.

A man gross . . . and addicted to low company. Macaulay.
To adapt; to make suitable; to fit. Obs.
The land about is exceedingly addicted to wood, but the coldness of the place hinders the growth. Evelyn.
Syn. -- Addict, Devote, Consecrate, Dedicate. Addict was formerly used in a good sense; as, addicted to letters; but is now mostly employed in a bad sense or an indifferent one; as, addicted to vice; addicted to sensual indulgence. "Addicted to staying at home." J. S. Mill. Devote is always taken in a good sense, expressing habitual earnestness in the pursuit of some favorite object; as, devoted to science. Consecrate and dedicate express devotion of a higher kind, involving religious sentiment; as, consecrated to the service of the church; dedicated to God.