alcoholism

/ˌælkəˈhɔˈlɪzəm/

/ˈælkəhɒlɪzəm/

Other forms: alcoholisms

Definitions of alcoholism
  1. noun
    habitual intoxication; prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks leading to a breakdown in health and an addiction to alcohol such that abrupt deprivation leads to severe withdrawal symptoms
    synonyms: alcohol addiction, drunkenness, inebriation
    see moresee less
    type of:
    drug addiction, white plague
    an addiction to a drug (especially a narcotic drug)
  2. noun
    an intense persistent desire to drink alcoholic beverages to excess
    synonyms: dipsomania, potomania
    see moresee less
    type of:
    cacoethes, mania, passion
    an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action
Pronunciation
US

/ˌælkəˈhɔˈlɪzəm/
UK

/ˈælkəhɒlɪzəm/
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Word Family
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