What does "addictive" mean?
A drug that causes an addiction.
Addictive
/əˈdɪktɪv/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A drug that causes an addiction.
- Grammar: addictive is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: addicting, captivating, compelling, compulsive.
- Useful contrasts: nonaddictive, noncaptivating, nondependence inducing.
- Usage evidence: I think that, as he's using addictive substances like thinner, the chance of rehabilitation is low.
How to use "addictive"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "addictive" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "addictive" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "addictive" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "addictive" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "addictive" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "addicting" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "addictive", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A drug that causes an addiction.
- 2 Anything that is very habit-forming.
Adjective
- 1 Causing or tending to cause addiction; habit-forming.
"These are addictive drugs."
- 2 Enjoyable, so that one comes back for more.
"There are loads of mazes, it's all really good fun and utterly addictive […]"
- 3 Characterized by or susceptible to addiction.
"He has an addictive personality."
Adjective
- 1 causing or characterized by addiction wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"I think that, as he's using addictive substances like thinner, the chance of rehabilitation is low."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "addictive"?
Common synonyms include: addicting, captivating, compelling, compulsive, conditioning, dependence forming.
How do you use "addictive" in a sentence?
I think that, as he's using addictive substances like thinner, the chance of rehabilitation is low.
How do you pronounce "addictive"?
Pronounced /əˈdɪktɪv/.
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.