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B1 adjective 9 min read

addict

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips addict in 30 Seconds

Explanation addict in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to worry too much about the complex grammar of 'addict'. Just know that it means you really, really like something and feel like you can't stop. It looks just like the English word, which makes it easy! You can say 'Je suis addict au chocolat' (I am addicted to chocolate). Just remember to use 'au' for masculine things like chocolate or 'à la' for feminine things. It's a fun word to use when talking about your hobbies or favorite foods in a very simple way.

At A2, you should start noticing that 'addict' is an adjective used with the verb 'être' (to be). You might use it to talk about your daily habits. For example, 'Je suis addict à mon téléphone' (I am addicted to my phone). You should also learn the informal version 'accro', which is very common in France. At this level, you should be able to distinguish between a real medical problem and just a strong liking for something. Remember: 'addict' goes after the verb, never before the person.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'addict' correctly with various prepositions (au, à la, aux). You should understand that it is an anglicism and that 'dépendant' is the more formal alternative. You should also be able to use the noun form: 'C'est un addict des jeux vidéo'. At this stage, you should also be careful with the word 'addictif' (addictive) to describe things. For example, 'Le sucre est addictif' vs 'Je suis addict au sucre'. This distinction is key for B1 learners to show they understand French word families.

At B2, you should understand the social implications of using the word 'addict'. You might encounter it in newspaper articles about public health or technology. You should be able to discuss the pros and cons of using anglicisms in French. You should also be familiar with the term 'addictologie' and how the word 'addict' has become part of medical terminology in France. You should be able to use it in more complex sentences, such as: 'Il est devenu addict à cause du stress au travail' (He became addicted because of work stress).

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'addict' versus its synonyms like 'assujetti', 'tributaire', or 'passionné'. You should be able to analyze why a writer might choose 'addict' over 'dépendant' to create a specific tone (e.g., modern, clinical, or informal). You should also be aware of the linguistic debate regarding the feminization of the word (addict vs addicte) and be able to use it fluently in academic or professional discussions about sociology or psychology without sounding like you are just 'borrowing' English words lazily.

At C2, you should be able to discuss the etymology and the 're-borrowing' of the word (from Latin 'addictus' to English 'addict' and back to French). You should understand its place in the history of the French language and the resistance it faced from the Académie Française. You can use the word with total precision in any context, understanding the subtle shifts in meaning between a 'shopping addict' in a fashion magazine and 'comportements addicts' in a psychiatric journal. You are fully comfortable with all its grammatical forms and derivatives.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

addict in 30 Seconds

Addict is a French adjective/noun borrowed from English meaning addicted or dependent.
It is commonly used with the preposition 'à' (e.g., addict à la gym).
It can describe serious medical addictions or casual hobbies and obsessions.
The informal synonym 'accro' is often used interchangeably in casual French.

The French word addict is a fascinating example of a modern anglicism that has firmly rooted itself in the contemporary French language. While traditional French purists might prefer terms like dépendant or assujetti, the word addict is ubiquitous in casual conversation, media, and even medical contexts (via the field of addictologie). At its core, being addict means having a physical or psychological dependency on a substance or a specific activity. Unlike the English usage which can be very broad, the French usage often leans toward either a serious medical condition or a playful exaggeration of a hobby.

The Medical Context: In a clinical sense, addict refers to someone suffering from an addiction. This is used by doctors, therapists, and in public health campaigns to describe individuals struggling with drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. For example, a doctor might discuss how a patient became addict to certain medications after an injury.
The Casual Context: In everyday life, French speakers use addict to describe intense enthusiasm or a harmless 'obsession' with things like chocolate, social media, or a specific TV series. It is synonymous with the informal term accro (short for accroché, meaning 'hooked').
Grammatical Nuance: Grammatically, addict functions primarily as an adjective. While in English you are 'addicted to' something, in French you are addict à something. Note that the word is often used as a masculine or feminine noun as well: un addict or une addicte (though the spelling 'addict' is often kept for both genders in casual writing).

Je suis complètement addict à cette nouvelle série sur Netflix, je ne peux plus m'arrêter de la regarder !

— A common way to express binge-watching habits.

The evolution of this word in France mirrors the global influence of English culture. It gained massive popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, coinciding with the rise of digital technology and globalized media. Today, you will see it in headlines like "Sommes-nous tous addicts à nos smartphones ?" (Are we all addicted to our smartphones?). It captures a specific modern anxiety about consumption and habits that older, more rigid French terms sometimes fail to convey with the same punchiness.

Elle est addict au sport ; elle va à la salle de gym tous les matins à cinq heures.

It is important to distinguish between the noun and the adjective. As an adjective, it describes a state of being. As a noun, it describes the person themselves. You might hear "C'est un vrai addict du travail" (He is a real workaholic/work addict). In this sense, it functions exactly like its English counterpart but follows French syntax rules, requiring the indefinite article un or une.

Using addict correctly in French requires mastering the preposition that follows it. Unlike English where we say 'addicted to', French uses the preposition à. When the object is masculine, à + le becomes au. When it is plural, à + les becomes aux.

Masculine Singular Objects: Use addict au.
Example: Il est addict au chocolat noir. (He is addicted to dark chocolate.)
Feminine Singular Objects: Use addict à la.
Example: Elle est addict à la caféine. (She is addicted to caffeine.)
Plural Objects: Use addict aux.
Example: Ils sont addicts aux réseaux sociaux. (They are addicted to social networks.)

Devenir addict au sucre est très facile avec tous ces sodas.

A common question among learners is whether to pluralize or feminize the word. In strict grammar, addict can take an 's' for plural (addicts) and an 'e' for feminine (addicte). However, because it is an anglicism, many French speakers treat it as an invariable adjective in casual speech, meaning they don't change the spelling regardless of who they are talking about. In writing, it is better to agree the word with the subject.

Furthermore, addict is rarely used to describe the substance itself. In English, we might say 'an addictive drug'. In French, you would use the adjective addictif (masculine) or addictive (feminine). For example: Le sucre est un produit très addictif. Mixing up 'addict' (the person's state) and 'addictif' (the object's quality) is a frequent mistake for English speakers.

Mon frère est addict aux jeux vidéo, il y passe ses nuits entières.

You will encounter the word addict in a variety of modern French settings. It has moved beyond medical jargon and into the zeitgeist. If you are watching French YouTube, listening to podcasts, or reading lifestyle magazines like Elle or GQ France, the word is almost inescapable.

In the Media: Headlines often use addict to grab attention. "Shopping addict : comment s'en sortir ?" (Shopping addict: how to get out of it?) or "Sériephile ou addict ?" (Series-lover or addict?). The word carries a modern, slightly edgy connotation that dépendant lacks.
In Social Circles: Among friends, you'll hear it used for minor obsessions. If someone always has a coffee in their hand, a friend might joke, "T'es vraiment une addict du café, toi !" (You're really a coffee addict!). It's used here with a touch of irony or lightheartedness.
In Advertising: Brands use the term to imply that their product is so good you won't be able to stop using it. A makeup brand might name a lipstick line "Lip Addict" to suggest high desirability and repeat purchase.

Le reportage portait sur les jeunes qui sont addict aux paris sportifs en ligne.

Interestingly, the word is also used in the professional field of addictologie. This is the branch of medicine devoted to addictions. You will see signs in hospitals for the "Service d'addictologie". This shows that the word has been fully institutionalized and is not just 'slang'. However, when a doctor uses it, they are referring to a pathological state, whereas a teenager using it might just mean they really like a specific TikToker.

Another place you'll find it is in the gaming community. French gamers often use English terms, and addict is frequently used to describe someone who spends too many hours on a game like League of Legends or Fortnite. In this context, it can be both a badge of honor and a point of criticism from parents.

Because addict looks and sounds like the English word, English speakers often assume the grammar is identical. This leads to several frequent errors that can make your French sound unnatural or confusing.

Mistake 1: Using the wrong preposition: English speakers often say *addict de* because 'of' feels natural, or they omit the preposition entirely.
Wrong: Je suis addict de chocolat.
Correct: Je suis addict au chocolat.
Mistake 2: Confusing 'addict' and 'addictif': Remember: addict is the person; addictif is the thing.
Wrong: Cette drogue est très addict.
Correct: Cette drogue est très addictive.
Mistake 3: Pronunciation: English speakers sometimes pronounce it with the English 'a' sound (as in 'apple'). In French, it's a clear, sharp [a] sound, like in the word papa. Also, do not forget to pronounce the 't'.

Incorrect: Il est addicté à la cigarette.
Correct: Il est addict à la cigarette.

Don't try to 'Frenchify' it by adding an '-é' ending like 'passionné'. The word is simply 'addict'.

Another subtle mistake is overusing the word. In English, we might say we are 'addicted to a song' when we just mean we like it. In French, addict carries a slightly heavier weight. If you just like something, use j'adore or je suis fan de. Using addict implies a level of compulsion that isn't always appropriate for every situation.

French has a rich vocabulary for describing habits, passions, and dependencies. Depending on the level of formality and the nature of the 'addiction', you might want to choose a different word.

Accro: Usage: Informal.
This is the most common synonym for addict in casual French. It comes from accroché (hooked).
Je suis accro à ton sourire. (I'm hooked on your smile.)
Dépendant / Dépendante: Usage: Formal / Medical.
This is the standard French term. It is used in official documents and by the Academy.
Il est dépendant de l'alcool. (He is dependent on alcohol.) Note the use of de here!
Mordu(e): Usage: Enthusiastic.
Literally means 'bitten'. Used for hobbies.
C'est un mordu d'informatique. (He's a computer geek/enthusiast.)
Passionné(e): Usage: Positive.
Use this if you want to describe a healthy interest rather than a compulsive addiction.
Elle est passionnée par l'histoire. (She is passionate about history.)

Plutôt que de dire que tu es addict au travail, tu peux dire que tu es un bourreau de travail.

'Bourreau de travail' is the French equivalent of 'workaholic'.

When comparing addict to accro, addict feels slightly more modern and 'global', while accro feels more traditionally French-slang. If you are writing a blog post about digital detox, addict is perfect. If you are telling a friend you can't stop eating these cookies, accro is usually the better fit.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

It is a 'return' word: it started in Latin, went to English to describe drug users, and then came back to French in the 20th century.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈæd.ɪkt/

US /ˈæd.ɪkt/

In French, the stress is on the final syllable: ad-DICT.

Rhymes With

verdict strict conflit (near rhyme) dict (as in 'dictée' prefix) district évict indict flic (slang near rhyme)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'a' like the 'a' in 'cat' (should be like 'papa').
Forgetting to pronounce the final 't'.
Using an English 'r' if adding a suffix like 'addiction'.
Stress on the first syllable.
Nasalizing the 'a' unnecessarily.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize for English speakers.

Writing 2/5

Requires remembering the preposition 'à' and agreement.

Speaking 2/5

Requires correct French pronunciation of 'a' and 't'.

Listening 1/5

Distinctive sound, easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

être à dépendant habitude aimer

Learn Next

addiction addictif sevrage manquer besoin

Advanced

assuétude toxicomanie compulsion aliénation dépendance affective

Grammar to Know

Agreement of anglicisms

Des personnes addicts (the 's' is optional but recommended).

Preposition 'à' with 'addict'

Addict au (à + le) chocolat.

Nouns vs Adjectives

Un addict (noun) vs Il est addict (adjective).

The causative 'rendre'

Cela me rend addict.

Negation with adjectives

Je ne suis pas addict.

Examples by Level

Je suis addict au café.

I am addicted to coffee.

Uses 'au' because 'café' is masculine.

Elle est addict au chocolat.

She is addicted to chocolate.

Subject-verb agreement: Elle + est.

Tu es addict à la télé ?

Are you addicted to TV?

Question form using 'à la' for feminine 'télé'.

Il n'est pas addict.

He is not addicted.

Negation using 'ne... pas'.

Nous sommes addicts au sport.

We are addicted to sports.

Plural form 'addicts' with 's'.

C'est un addict.

He is an addict.

Used as a noun with the article 'un'.

Je deviens addict !

I am becoming addicted!

Using the verb 'devenir'.

Ils sont addicts à Internet.

They are addicted to the Internet.

Plural subject with 's' on addict.

Mon frère est addict aux jeux vidéo.

My brother is addicted to video games.

Uses 'aux' for plural 'jeux vidéo'.

Je pense que je suis addict au sucre.

I think I am addicted to sugar.

Introductory phrase 'Je pense que'.

Elle est devenue addict à cette série.

She became addicted to this series.

Past tense 'est devenue'.

Les gens sont addicts à leurs portables.

People are addicted to their phones.

Plural agreement.

Es-tu addict au travail ?

Are you a work addict?

Inversion for the question.

Ma mère est addict au jardinage.

My mother is addicted to gardening.

Subject-verb-adjective structure.

On peut être addict au shopping.

One can be addicted to shopping.

Using the modal verb 'peut'.

Il est vraiment addict, c'est grave.

He is really addicted, it's serious.

Adverb 'vraiment' modifying the adjective.

Beaucoup d'adolescents sont addicts aux réseaux sociaux.

Many teenagers are addicted to social media.

Quantifier 'Beaucoup de'.

Il est difficile de ne pas devenir addict au café quand on travaille tôt.

It is difficult not to become addicted to coffee when working early.

Infinitive structure 'Il est difficile de'.

Elle se considère comme une addict de la mode.

She considers herself a fashion addict.

Reflexive verb 'se considérer'.

Le médecin dit qu'il est addict à la nicotine.

The doctor says he is addicted to nicotine.

Indirect speech.

Si tu joues trop, tu vas finir par être addict.

If you play too much, you will end up being addicted.

Conditional 'Si' clause.

Je ne savais pas que tu étais une telle addict au thé !

I didn't know you were such a tea addict!

Imperfect tense 'étais'.

Il a arrêté de fumer car il était trop addict.

He stopped smoking because he was too addicted.

Causal conjunction 'car'.

Être addict n'est pas une fatalité, on peut se soigner.

Being an addict is not a fatality; one can get treated.

Gerund-like use of the infinitive 'Être'.

L'usage excessif des écrans rend les enfants addicts dès le plus jeune âge.

Excessive use of screens makes children addicted from a very young age.

Verb 'rendre' + adjective.

Bien qu'il soit addict, il essaie de réduire sa consommation.

Although he is addicted, he is trying to reduce his consumption.

Subjunctive 'soit' after 'Bien que'.

Le marketing moderne cherche à rendre le consommateur addict au produit.

Modern marketing seeks to make the consumer addicted to the product.

Infinitive construction.

Certaines substances sont plus addictives que d'autres pour les addicts.

Some substances are more addictive than others for addicts.

Comparison 'plus... que'.

Il est devenu addict à l'adrénaline à force de faire des sports extrêmes.

He became addicted to adrenaline by doing extreme sports.

Expression 'à force de'.

L'addictologie aide les personnes qui sont devenues addicts aux drogues dures.

Addiction medicine helps people who have become addicted to hard drugs.

Relative clause 'qui sont devenues'.

Peut-on être addict à une personne ?

Can one be addicted to a person?

Abstract usage of the term.

Elle a réalisé qu'elle était addict au travail quand elle est tombée malade.

She realized she was a workaholic when she got sick.

Sequence of tenses (Passé Composé/Imparfait).

La frontière entre passion et comportement addict est parfois ténue.

The line between passion and addictive behavior is sometimes thin.

Use of 'addict' as a qualifying adjective for 'comportement'.

Le cerveau d'un addict réagit différemment aux stimuli de récompense.

An addict's brain reacts differently to reward stimuli.

Possessive structure 'cerveau d'un addict'.

Il s'agit d'un patient lourdement addict aux opiacés depuis plusieurs années.

This is a patient heavily addicted to opiates for several years.

Adverb 'lourdement' modifying 'addict'.

L'aliénation numérique rend les individus addicts à une validation constante.

Digital alienation makes individuals addicted to constant validation.

Complex noun phrase 'aliénation numérique'.

L'industrie du jeu utilise des mécanismes psychologiques pour rendre les joueurs addicts.

The gaming industry uses psychological mechanisms to make players addicted.

Direct object 'les joueurs'.

Quiconque devient addict perd une partie de son libre arbitre.

Anyone who becomes an addict loses a part of their free will.

Pronoun 'Quiconque'.

L'étude souligne que les femmes sont plus susceptibles de devenir addicts à certains médicaments.

The study highlights that women are more likely to become addicted to certain medications.

Expression 'susceptible de'.

L'anglicisme 'addict' a supplanté le terme 'toxicomane' dans le langage courant.

The anglicism 'addict' has supplanted the term 'drug addict' in everyday language.

Vocabulary about linguistics.

L'omniprésence du terme 'addict' dans notre lexique témoigne d'une pathologisation du quotidien.

The omnipresence of the term 'addict' in our lexicon testifies to a pathologization of daily life.

High-level vocabulary like 'pathologisation'.

S'interroger sur ce qui nous rend addicts, c'est explorer les failles de notre condition humaine.

Questioning what makes us addicts is exploring the flaws of our human condition.

Cleft sentence structure 'S'interroger... c'est'.

Le sujet n'est plus simplement un amateur, il est devenu un addict asservi par son besoin.

The subject is no longer simply an amateur; he has become an addict enslaved by his need.

Past participle 'asservi' used as an adjective.

La sémantique de l'addict a évolué d'une connotation purement médicale vers une étiquette identitaire.

The semantics of the 'addict' have evolved from a purely medical connotation toward an identity label.

Prepositional phrases 'de... vers'.

Bien que le terme soit d'origine étrangère, 'addict' s'est parfaitement intégré à la syntaxe française.

Although the term is of foreign origin, 'addict' has perfectly integrated into French syntax.

Pronominal verb 's'est intégré'.

L'individu contemporain est-il condamné à être un addict de la consommation ?

Is the contemporary individual condemned to be an addict of consumption?

Interrogative form with hyphenation.

On observe une recrudescence de profils addicts aux environnements virtuels hautement stimulants.

We observe a resurgence of profiles addicted to highly stimulating virtual environments.

Noun phrase 'recrudescence de profils'.

L'addict, dans sa quête effrénée de dopamine, ignore les conséquences délétères de ses actes.

The addict, in their frantic quest for dopamine, ignores the deleterious consequences of their actions.

Parenthetical phrase 'dans sa quête...'.

Synonyms

accro dépendant mordu passionné assujetti tributaire fanatique toxicomane

Antonyms

indépendant indifférent sobre désintéressé

Common Collocations

être addict à

devenir addict

shopping addict

addict aux jeux

comportement addict

totalement addict

addict au sucre

ancien addict

addict à l'adrénaline

rendre addict

Common Phrases

Accro ou addict ?

— A common way to ask if someone is just a fan or truly addicted.

Alors, t'es juste fan ou t'es addict ?

Une vraie addict.

— Used to emphasize that someone (female) really can't stop.

Ma sœur ? Une vraie addict du shopping !

Addict au boulot.

— Casual way to say workaholic.

Mon mari est un addict au boulot.

Série-addict.

— Someone who binge-watches series.

Je suis une série-addict, j'ai fini la saison en une nuit.

Addict du portable.

— Phone addict.

La génération des addicts du portable.

Se soigner d'une addiction.

— To get treatment for an addiction.

Il a décidé de se soigner.

Tomber dans l'addiction.

— To fall into addiction.

Il est tombé dans l'addiction très jeune.

Lutter contre l'addiction.

— To fight against addiction.

Le gouvernement lutte contre l'addiction au tabac.

Addict à vie.

— Addicted for life.

Une fois qu'on commence, on est addict à vie.

Pas du tout addict.

— Not addicted at all.

Moi ? Je ne suis pas du tout addict.

Often Confused With

addict vs adepte

An 'adepte' is a follower or practitioner of something (like yoga), not necessarily addicted.

addict vs habitué

A 'habitué' is a regular customer or someone used to something, without the compulsion.

addict vs amateur

An 'amateur' just likes something (like wine), whereas an 'addict' can't stop.

Idioms & Expressions

"Avoir quelque chose dans le sang"

— To have something in one's blood (natural passion/addiction).

Il a le jeu dans le sang.

informal

"Être piqué de..."

— To be stung/bitten by (to be obsessed with).

Il est piqué de littérature.

literary

"Ne plus pouvoir s'en passer"

— To no longer be able to do without it.

Le café ? Je ne peux plus m'en passer.

neutral

"Avoir le vice"

— To have the vice (to have a bad habit or addiction).

Il a le vice du jeu.

informal

"Être sous l'emprise de..."

— To be under the influence/grip of.

Il est sous l'emprise de la drogue.

formal

"Manger, dormir et respirer [quelque chose]"

— To eat, sleep, and breathe something.

Elle mange et dort tennis.

informal

"Avoir une addiction chevillée au corps"

— To have an addiction deeply rooted (pegged) in the body.

Il a cette addiction chevillée au corps.

formal

"Être accroché au wagon"

— To be hooked on (often used for following a trend or habit).

Il est accroché au wagon des réseaux sociaux.

informal

"Ne vivre que pour ça"

— To live only for that.

Le travail, il ne vit que pour ça.

neutral

"Boire les paroles de quelqu'un"

— To hang on someone's every word (social addiction).

Elle boit ses paroles.

idiomatic

Easily Confused

addict vs addictif

Both relate to addiction.

Addict describes the person; addictif describes the thing causing the addiction.

Le jeu est addictif, donc le joueur est addict.

addict vs accro

They mean the same thing.

Accro is more informal and native French; addict is a modern anglicism.

Je suis accro au sport / Je suis addict au sport.

addict vs dépendant

Direct translation.

Dépendant is used for physical needs (drugs) or formal contexts; addict is more versatile.

Dépendant de l'alcool.

addict vs passionné

Both imply strong interest.

Passionné is positive; addict implies a loss of control.

Un passionné de timbres.

addict vs mordu

Both mean 'hooked'.

Mordu is usually for hobbies and is very informal.

Un mordu de voile.

Sentence Patterns

Je suis addict à [noun].

Je suis addict à la pizza.

[Personne] est addict au [masculine noun].

Mon père est addict au café.

Il est devenu addict à cause de [raison].

Il est devenu addict à cause de la solitude.

Bien que je sois addict, je peux [verbe].

Bien que je sois addict, je peux m'arrêter quand je veux.

Le fait d'être addict entraîne [conséquence].

Le fait d'être addict entraîne une perte de sommeil.

L'individu se définit comme un addict de [concept].

L'individu se définit comme un addict de la vitesse.

C'est un produit très addictif pour les addicts.

C'est un produit très addictif pour les addicts au sucre.

Tu n'es pas addict, tu es juste fan.

Tu n'es pas addict, tu es juste fan de cette chanteuse.

Word Family

Nouns

addiction

addictologue

addictologie

Verbs

s'adonner à

Adjectives

addictif

addictive

dépendance

assuétude

habitude

besoin

compulsion

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in modern urban French.

Common Mistakes

Je suis addict de café. → Je suis addict au café.
In French, the adjective 'addict' is followed by 'à', not 'de'.
Cette série est très addict. → Cette série est très addictive.
You must use the adjective 'addictif/addictive' to describe the object, not the person.
Il est un addicté. → C'est un addict.
There is no word 'addicté' in French. Use 'addict' as both noun and adjective.
Elle est addict aux shopping. → Elle est addict au shopping.
'Shopping' is singular in French, so use 'au', not 'aux'.
Pronouncing it 'a-deek'. → Pronouncing it 'a-dikt'.
The final 't' must be pronounced in this English loanword.

Tips

Watch your prepositions

Remember: Addict + à. Never use 'de' unless you are using the noun 'un addict de...' which is less common than the adjective form.

Use 'accro' for street cred

If you want to sound like a local in a Parisian cafe, use 'accro'. It sounds more natural in very casual spoken French.

The 'T' is alive

Don't drop the final 't'! In French loanwords from English, the final consonant is usually pronounced.

Agreement

If you are writing for a class, agree the word: addicts (plural), addicte (feminine). If you are texting, 'addict' for everyone is okay.

Digital context

This word is perfect for talking about social media and phones. It's the most common word used in French media for 'digital addiction'.

Medical usage

If you see 'Addictologie' at a hospital, that's where they treat all types of dependencies.

Don't overdo it

If you just like a movie, say 'J'adore ce film'. Using 'addict' implies you are watching it 20 times a week.

Latin roots

Knowing it comes from 'addictus' (slave) helps you remember that an addict feels like a slave to their habit.

Addict vs Addictif

Think: 'I am addict (person) to this addictif (thing) sugar'.

Anglicism status

Be aware that very old-fashioned speakers might dislike the word 'addict'. Use 'dépendant' with them.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the word 'Add' + 'Dictated'. An addict wants to 'add' more of the substance because their life is 'dictated' by it.

Visual Association

Imagine a person physically tied to a giant smartphone or a giant coffee cup with a rope.

Word Web

Café Jeux vidéo Sucre Série Shopping Sport Travail Téléphone

Challenge

Try to identify three things you are 'addict' to in a lighthearted way (e.g., 'Je suis addict au fromage') and tell a friend.

Word Origin

The word comes from the Latin 'addictus', which referred to a person who was awarded to another as a slave because of unpaid debts.

Original meaning: A person assigned or surrendered to another.

Latin -> English -> French (Loanword).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'addict' for serious illnesses; ensure you are being respectful of the person's struggle.

English speakers find this word easy, but must be careful not to use English prepositions like 'of'.

The perfume 'Dior Addict'. French medical journals often use 'addictologie'. Songs like 'Addict' by various French pop artists.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the doctor

Je suis addict au tabac.
Comment soigner un addict ?
Il est addict depuis longtemps.
C'est une addiction sévère.

Talking about hobbies

Je suis addict au yoga.
Elle est addict à la lecture.
Un vrai addict de musique.
On devient vite addict.

Social Media discussion

Addict aux likes.
Le scroll infini rend addict.
Détox pour les addicts.
Je suis addict à Instagram.

In a cafe

Un autre café, je suis addict.
Addict à la caféine.
Sans café, je suis en manque.
Vrai addict du petit-déjeuner.

Relationship talk

Addict à son attention.
Une relation d'addict.
Je suis addict à toi.
Dépendance ou amour ?

Conversation Starters

"Es-tu addict à une série en ce moment ?"

"Penses-tu qu'on peut être addict au sport ?"

"Quel est le produit le plus addictif selon toi ?"

"Est-ce que tu te considères comme un addict du travail ?"

"Comment peut-on aider quelqu'un qui est addict aux jeux ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez une chose dont vous étiez addict par le passé et comment vous avez arrêté.

Pensez-vous que la technologie nous rend tous addicts ? Pourquoi ?

Est-ce que le mot 'addict' est trop utilisé de nos jours ?

Si vous deviez être addict à une seule chose saine, ce serait quoi ?

Racontez une journée dans la vie d'un 'shopping addict'.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it is a recognized anglicism. While the Académie Française prefers 'dépendant', 'addict' is used in medical fields (addictologie) and everyday speech. It is fully integrated into the language.

You should always use 'addict à'. For example, 'addict au café'. Using 'de' is a common mistake made by English speakers because 'dependent of' or 'addict of' sounds right in their head.

Yes, in written French, it is common to write 'ils sont addicts'. However, some people treat it as an invariable loanword. For safety, add the 's'.

It depends on the context. Casually (e.g., 'shopping addict'), it's fine. In a medical context, it's a neutral clinical term. However, calling someone an 'addict' in a derogatory way can be hurtful.

'Accro' is more informal and slangy. 'Addict' is slightly more modern and can be used in both casual and clinical settings. They are often interchangeable in conversation.

Yes, it can be a noun: 'C'est un addict'. It describes the person suffering from the addiction.

Pronounce it as [a-dikt]. The 'a' is like 'papa', and the 't' at the end is clearly heard, unlike many other French words.

Sometimes you will see 'addicte', but 'addict' is frequently used for both genders. In formal writing, use 'dépendante' for a woman.

Yes, it's common to say 'addict au sport' or 'addict à la lecture'. It implies you love it so much you can't stop, which can be seen as positive or humorous.

Yes, 'une addiction' is the standard noun for the condition itself. It is used very frequently.