What does drunkest mean?
"Drunkest" is the superlative form of the adjective "drunk," used to describe the person or thing showing the greatest degree of alcohol intoxication in a given comparison. It appears almost entirely in informal speech and writing — at parties, weddings, bars, and casual storytelling — where speakers rank levels of intoxication within a group, as in "he was the drunkest man at the table." Because "drunk" itself carries connotations ranging from lighthearted tipsiness to serious impairment, "drunkest" inherits this range: it can be playful and humorous, or it can signal genuine concern about excessive drinking. The word derives ultimately from the past participle of "drink," through Old English "druncen." In formal, clinical, or legal contexts, writers typically avoid it in favor of "most intoxicated," "inebriated," or "under the influence." Its comparative counterpart is "drunker."
adjectiveThe superlative form of "drunk"; most intoxicated with alcohol.
- Most intoxicated with alcohol; having consumed the greatest amount of alcohol relative to others in a group or situation.
"By the end of the wedding reception, he was the drunkest person in the room."
"Of all his friends at the party, Marcus was easily the drunkest."
"She laughed that her brother was the drunkest he had been in years."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of drunkest
"Drunkest" is the superlative of "drunk," which originated as the past participle of Old English "drincan" (to drink), in the form "druncen." By late Middle English, "drunk" had shifted from a verb form to an adjective meaning intoxicated, and regular superlatives were formed from it. It shares its Germanic root with cognates such as German "trinken" and Dutch "drinken."
Related word forms
How drunkest is actually used
"Drunkest" belongs to informal and conversational register, as does its base adjective "drunk." In formal or medical writing, terms such as "intoxicated" or "inebriated" are preferred. It functions as an absolute superlative comparing degrees of intoxication among people.
Easily confused with drunkest
"Drank" is the past tense of the verb "drink," while "drunkest" is a superlative adjective describing the greatest degree of intoxication.