drunkenness
gb/dɹˈʌŋkənnəs/ us/dɹˈʌŋkənnəs/
B2
English
~ 9600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
state of being drunk from alcohol
The state of being drunk because someone has had too much alcohol.
Usage pattern:
in a state of drunkenness; [someone]'s drunkenness
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes write *drunkness* instead of *drunkenness*. Also, they may say *He has a drunkenness* when they should say *He is in a state of drunkenness* or more naturally *He is drunk*.
Synonyms
intoxication (Slightly more formal; often used in medical or legal contexts.)
|
inebriation (Formal and less common; often used in written or technical language.)
Antonyms
sobriety (Emphasizes being completely free from the effects of alcohol.)
Collocations
in a state of drunkenness
|his drunkenness was obvious
|public drunkenness
|drunkenness and disorderly conduct
|cause of her drunkenness
|signs of drunkenness
Themes
daily life
|health
|law
|body
Examples
- His drunkenness was obvious from the way he staggered across the room.
- She apologized the next day, blaming her rude comments on her drunkenness.
- The officer noted signs of drunkenness, including slurred speech and the smell of alcohol.
- Because of his drunkenness, he was refused entry to the club.
- Public drunkenness is taken very seriously during the festival.
Learner examples
- His drunkenness made it hard for him to walk.
- Because of her drunkenness, she could not drive home safely.
- The police arrested him for his loud behavior and drunkenness.
- In his drunkenness, he said things he did not mean.
- Her friends were worried when they saw her level of drunkenness.
Noun
formal
C1
state
2
habit or culture of heavy drinking
Regular heavy drinking with alcohol, often talked about as a social or moral problem.
Usage pattern:
drunkenness among [group]; given to drunkenness; habitual drunkenness
Common mistake:
Learners may use *drunkenness* when *alcoholism* or *drinking problem* is more natural, especially when talking about medical addiction. *Drunkenness* in this sense is more common in formal writing or careful speech.
Synonyms
heavy drinking (More informal and common; focuses on the action rather than the moral or social judgment.)
|
alcoholism (Medical term for addiction to alcohol; implies dependency, not just frequent heavy drinking in a group or culture.)
Antonyms
abstinence (Highlights complete refusal to drink alcohol, contrasting with regular heavy drinking.)
Collocations
habitual drunkenness
|given to drunkenness
|drunkenness among teenagers
|a culture of drunkenness
|widespread drunkenness
Themes
health
|addiction
|society
|daily_life
Examples
- The report highlighted growing drunkenness among college students.
- He lost his job because of his habitual drunkenness.
- Community leaders are trying to tackle the culture of drunkenness in the town center.
- Her family had suffered for years from her father's drunkenness.
- The novel portrays the slow damage caused by the hero's quiet drunkenness.
Learner examples
- There is a lot of drunkenness in that area on Friday nights.
- His drunkenness slowly destroyed his family life.
- The government wants to reduce drunkenness among young people.
- Because of his drunkenness, he often missed work.
- She left him after many years of his drunkenness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
drunkenness
IPA
GB/dɹˈʌŋkənnəs/
US/dɹˈʌŋkənnəs/
Syllables & stress
drunk - en - ness (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (drunk)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: drunkenness
- Plural: drunkenness
Word family
Expressions
public drunkenness
1/pˈʌblɪk dɹˈʌŋkənnəs/
fixed phrase
being drunk in a public place
Being drunk in a public place, often as something the police can punish.
Examples
- He was arrested for public drunkenness after shouting in the street at 3 a.m.
- The city has introduced fines to reduce public drunkenness in the downtown area.
- Public drunkenness is common near the stadium after big games.