alky
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: * A habitual heavy drinker of alcohol; a person who suffers from alcoholism. This term is often considered informal, derogatory, or slang.
Usage
The word "alky" is a colloquial and often pejorative shortening of "alcoholic." It is used to label someone perceived to drink alcohol excessively and habitually. Its use can be seen as insensitive, reducing a person's condition to a slang label.
Examples
- Noun:
- The old man down the street is known as the town alky.
- He didn't want to be labeled an alky just because he enjoyed a few beers after work.
- The charity provides support for homeless alkies seeking help.
Advanced Usage
- The term can sometimes be used in a self-referential or reclaiming manner within certain contexts, though it remains broadly stigmatizing.
- It is primarily used in spoken, informal English or in fictional dialogue to characterize a person.
Variants and Related Words
- Alcoholic (noun): The standard, more formal term for a person addicted to alcohol.
- Drunk (noun): Another informal, often derogatory term for a person who is frequently intoxicated.
Synonyms
- Drunkard
- Sot
- Inebriate
- Dipsomaniac (clinical)
Antonyms
- Teetotaler
- Abstainer
Related Idioms
- To have a drinking problem: A more neutral and common way to describe someone who may be an alcoholic.
- It became clear he had a serious drinking problem.
Noun
- a person who drinks alcohol to excess habitually