adicto
“adicto” means “addicted” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
addicted
Also: devoted, hooked
📝 In Action
Es adicto al café por las mañanas.
B1He is addicted to coffee in the mornings.
Mi hermana es adicta a las series de televisión coreanas.
B1My sister is hooked on Korean TV series.
Parece que somos adictos a la tecnología.
B2It seems we are addicted to technology.
addict
Also: devotee, junkie
📝 In Action
Los adictos necesitan apoyo profesional.
B2Addicts need professional support.
Soy un adicto a la música clásica.
B1I am a devotee of classical music.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: adicto
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'adicto' as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin *addictus*, which originally meant 'assigned' or 'bound over.' In ancient Rome, if you couldn't pay a debt, you might be 'addictus'—legally bound to serve your creditor. This idea of being 'bound' or 'devoted' evolved over time into being bound by a substance or habit.
First recorded: 15th century (in Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'adicto' always refer to drugs or alcohol?
No. While it is often used in that context, 'adicto' simply means someone is extremely devoted to or dependent on something. You can be 'adicto al chocolate' (addicted to chocolate) or 'adicto al ejercicio' (addicted to exercise).
How do I make 'adicto' feminine?
Since 'adicto' ends in -o, you simply change the -o to an -a: 'adicta'. This applies whether you are using it as a noun (a female addict) or an adjective (she is addicted).