Definition of Addiction
Quick Meaning of Addiction
Addiction is when someone cannot stop using or doing something even though it causes harm. It can involve drugs, alcohol, gambling, or other behaviors that the person feels unable to control.
Detailed Definition of Addiction
A physical or psychological dependence on a substance, behavior, or activity that causes compulsive use despite harmful consequences.
How to Pronounce Addiction
Stress pattern: oOo (3-syllable word).
Tip: Three syllables: uh-DIK-shun. Stress the second syllable. The 'a' at the beginning is the schwa sound like 'uh'.
Watch out: Sometimes pronounced AD-dik-shun with stress on the first syllable. Correct: uh-DIK-shun with stress on the second syllable and schwa sound at the beginning.
Origin and Etymology of Addiction
From Latin 'addictio,' meaning 'assignment' or 'enslavement,' derived from 'addicere' (to assign or bind to).
How to Use Addiction in a Sentence
Each example shows “addiction” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“Addiction to opioid medications has become a significant public health crisis in many countries.”
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“His struggle with alcohol addiction took years of treatment and support to overcome.”
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“Research shows that addiction involves changes in brain chemistry and reward pathways.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Addiction
Common Synonyms for Addiction
Smart Synonyms for Addiction — When to Use Each
- dependence
- Clinical term for physical reliance on substance
- compulsion
- Emphasizes the inability to resist the urge
- substance abuse
- Broader term including harmful use patterns
Antonyms of Addiction
Common Collocations with Addiction
These phrases pair with “addiction” in everyday English:
- drug addiction
- alcohol addiction
- nicotine addiction
- internet addiction
- addiction treatment
Common Mistakes When Using Addiction
Even fluent speakers slip up with “addiction”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: She overcome her addiction.
- ✓ Correct: She overcame her addiction.
- Why: Use past tense 'overcame,' not 'overcome' as main verb. 'Overcome' is past participle; use 'has overcome' for present perfect.
- ✗ Wrong: His addictions to drugs and alcohol requires treatment.
- ✓ Correct: His addictions to drugs and alcohol require treatment.
- Why: Plural subject 'addictions' takes plural verb 'require,' not singular 'requires'.
- ✗ Wrong: The addiction was very addictive for him.
- ✓ Correct: The addiction was very difficult to overcome. (Or: The substance was very addictive.)
- Why: 'Addictive' describes substances or behaviors that cause addiction, not the addiction itself. Use different words to describe how strong the addiction is: 'severe,' 'strong,' 'difficult to overcome.'
Other Forms of Addiction
- Noun: addiction
- Verb: addict
- Adjective: addictive
- Adverb: addictively
Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction
What is the meaning of "Addiction"?
Addiction is when someone cannot stop using or doing something even though it causes harm. It can involve drugs, alcohol, gambling, or other behaviors that the person feels unable to control.
How do you pronounce "Addiction"?
The IPA is /əˈdɪkʃən/. Three syllables: uh-DIK-shun. Stress the second syllable. The 'a' at the beginning is the schwa sound like 'uh'.
What part of speech is "Addiction"?
"Addiction" is a noun at B2 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Addiction"?
Common synonyms include dependence, compulsion, reliance.
How do you use "Addiction" in a sentence?
For example: "Addiction to opioid medications has become a significant public health crisis in many countries."