Addictive
/əˈdɪktɪv/
adjectiveBeginner📊CommonQuality
1 meaning2 questions
Definitions
1
So attractive or enjoyable that it leads to dependence or habit.
/əˈdɪktɪv/
adjectivenegativeBeginner
Quality
Causing or likely to cause addiction.
That video game is incredibly addictive.
💡 Simply: Something you can't easily stop doing because it's so enjoyable.
More Examples
2
The novel was so addictive that I read it in one sitting.
How It's Used
Psychology
"Nicotine is a highly addictive substance."
Marketing
"The game's addictive gameplay kept players engaged for hours."
Derived from "addict" (late 16th century), ultimately from Latin "addictus" (assigned, devoted). The -ive suffix indicates a tendency or quality.
While the word 'addictive' has roots in the 16th century, its widespread use in describing substance abuse and behavioral patterns developed more recently.
Memory tip
Think of 'add' - it adds to your habit, making it hard to stop.
Word Origin
Original meaning
"addictus - assigned, devoted"
Base: addict
highly addictivemildly addictiveaddictive personalityaddictive behavior
Common misspellings
aditiveaddictiv
Practice
Usage
40%Spoken
60%Written