What does drunker mean?
Drunker is the comparative form of the adjective 'drunk,' used to describe a state of greater intoxication from alcohol relative to another person, time, or standard. For example, one might say that by midnight she was far drunker than when she arrived, indicating her level of intoxication had increased considerably. The word carries a distinctly informal, conversational register: it belongs naturally to speech, humor, and casual writing rather than formal prose, where alternatives such as 'more intoxicated' or 'more inebriated' are preferred. Although some traditionalists argue that polysyllabic adjectives should take 'more,' 'drunker' is well established and widely accepted in modern English usage. It typically appears in comparative constructions — 'drunker than,' 'ever drunker,' 'drunker still' — and often conveys a tone ranging from lighthearted to mildly critical, depending on context. Related forms include 'drunkest' (superlative), 'drunken' (attributive adjective), and 'drunkenness' (noun), all tracing back to Old English roots connected to drinking.
adjective (comparative form of 'drunk')The comparative form of 'drunk,' meaning more intoxicated with alcohol than someone or something else, or more affected by alcohol to a greater degree.
- More intoxicated with alcohol than another person or thing; the comparative degree of 'drunk.'
"By the end of the night, he was drunker than anyone else at the party."
"She got progressively drunker as the wedding reception wore on."
"He claimed he wasn't drunker than usual, though his slurred speech suggested otherwise."
English has two ways to say 'very drunk' — 'drunker' and 'more drunk' — but only one of them sounds like you've already had a few.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of drunker
Drunker derives from 'drunk,' which originated as the past participle of the Old English verb 'drincan' (to drink). In Middle English, 'drunk' came to be used adjectivally to mean intoxicated, gradually replacing the older form 'drunken' in predicative positions. The comparative 'drunker' formed by regular inflection, following the pattern of short adjectives that take '-er.' Its Germanic cognates include Dutch 'dronken' and German 'trunken,' all stemming from the same Proto-Germanic root associated with drinking.
Related word forms
How drunker is actually used
'Drunker' is informal and colloquial. In formal or academic writing, 'more intoxicated' or 'more inebriated' is preferred. The comparative 'drunker' is widely used and accepted in everyday speech despite some prescriptivists preferring 'more drunk'; both are grammatically valid since 'drunk' functions as an adjective.
Easily confused with drunker
'Drunker' is the comparative of the adjective 'drunk' meaning more intoxicated; a 'drunkard' is a noun referring to a habitual heavy drinker.