drunkard
/'drʌɳkəd/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A person who is habitually drunk; a chronic drinker: A drunkard is someone who frequently consumes alcohol to the point of intoxication. The term emphasizes a habitual pattern of excessive drinking rather than a single instance.
Usage
- The word "drunkard" is a noun used to describe a person. It is more formal and carries a stronger negative connotation than casual terms like "drinker." It often implies a lack of control or a problematic relationship with alcohol.
- It is typically used in descriptive or narrative contexts, rather than as a direct address.
Examples
- The old drunkard was a familiar sight on the park bench.
- He was known in the village as a hopeless drunkard.
- The novel's tragic hero descends into becoming a penniless drunkard.
Advanced Usage
- "A hopeless drunkard": Emphasizes that the person's condition is seen as beyond remedy or improvement.
- "A habitual drunkard": Stresses the repeated, ingrained nature of the drinking behavior. This is close to the core definition.
Variants and Related Words
- Drunk (noun, informal): A person who is intoxicated, especially at a given moment. (e.g., )
- Alcoholic (noun): A person suffering from alcoholism, a medical condition characterized by physical dependence on alcohol. This is a more clinical term.
- Inebriate (noun, formal): A person who is drunk or who drinks habitually to excess.
- Sot (noun, archaic): A habitual drunkard.
Synonyms
- Alcoholic
- Inebriate
- Sot (archaic)
- Lush (slang)
- Wino (slang, specifically for someone who drinks cheap wine)
Antonyms
- Teetotaler: A person who never drinks alcohol.
- Abstainer: A person who refrains from drinking alcohol.
Idioms and Related Phrases
- "To drink like a fish": To drink alcohol heavily and frequently. This idiom describes the behavior of a drunkard.
- Ever since he lost his job, he's been drinking like a fish.
Noun
- a chronic drinker