WordGarden.iodrinker
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /drˈɪŋkə/
US
- /ˈdrɪŋkər/
Meanings
Noun
a person who drinks alcohol, especially regularly or habitually
a person or animal that drinks a particular liquid or drinks in a particular way
Beyond the definition
A "drinker" is usually a person or animal that drinks something, but in everyday English it often means someone who drinks alcohol. That is why phrases like "heavy drinker" and "social drinker" are so common. The word can also be used with a specific kind of drink, as in "coffee drinker" or "tea drinker." Context does most of the work here. If you call someone simply "a drinker," many people will think of alcohol first, not just any liquid.
The word "drinker" usually describes a person, and sometimes an animal, that drinks something. In the broadest sense, it can refer to someone who drinks a particular kind of liquid, such as a "coffee drinker," a "tea drinker," or a "water drinker." In that kind of use, the meaning is simple and neutral.
Still, in everyday English, "drinker" very often points to alcohol use. If someone says "He's a drinker," the usual meaning is that he drinks alcohol, perhaps regularly. That is why common phrases include "social drinker," "heavy drinker," "problem drinker," and "moderate drinker." In these cases, the word is not about drinking in general; it is about a person's habits with alcohol.
The term can also help sort people by habit or preference. A "wine drinker" may simply be someone who likes wine, while a "nondrinker" is someone who does not drink alcohol at all. So the key idea is this: the word can be broad, but when used on its own, it often suggests alcohol unless the context clearly points to another drink.
Examples
- 1
Alcohol habits
She’s not much of a drinker, so she ordered juice.
- Phrasenot much of a drinker
someone who drinks alcohol only a little
- 2
Social drinking
He says he’s just a social drinker and rarely drinks at home.
- Phrasesocial drinker
someone who drinks mainly at parties or with other people
- 3
Heavy drinking
Her father was a heavy drinker for years before he quit.
- 4
Support services
The program offers support for problem drinkers and their families.
- Phraseproblem drinker
someone whose drinking causes serious problems
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Beverage preference
I’m more of a coffee drinker than a tea drinker.
See also
Similar
- tippler
- imbiber
- boozer
Shades of meaning
- social drinker
- heavy drinker
- alcoholic
Contrast
- nondrinker
- teetotaler
Used with (collocations)
- moderate drinker
- regular drinker
- problem drinker
Word family
Explore
- alcohol consumption
- sobriety
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- drinkernoun
Forms
- drinkerspluralnoun