What does inebriate mean?
Inebriate is a formal word with two related meanings. As a verb, it means to make someone intoxicated, as in a statement that a drink or celebration inebriated the guests. Its past participle, “inebriated,” is more common than the verb itself and is often used in formal or literary contexts, especially when describing someone who has been drinking heavily. As a noun, an inebriate is a person who is drunk, particularly one who is habitually intoxicated. The word now has an old-fashioned, sometimes theatrical quality and is less usual in neutral everyday speech than “drunk” or “intoxicated.” Although its modern senses concern alcohol, its basic meaning is broadly “to make drunk or overcome by an intoxicating influence.”
To make someone drunk or intoxicated.
"The flowing wine quickly inebriated the banquet guests."
Formal and literary; “inebriated” is generally more common in modern usage.
A person who is drunk, especially one who is habitually intoxicated.
"The crowd treated the weary inebriate with a mixture of laughter and concern."
Less common and somewhat dated or literary in contemporary English.
The plural is rare because the noun itself is uncommon and sounds literary or dated.
"The novel depicts several inebriates gathered around the tavern hearth."
Inebriate comes from a Latin word meaning “to make drunk,” but its formal, old-fashioned tone now makes it sound more literary than everyday.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does inebriate come from?
The word comes from Latin inebriare, meaning “to make drunk or intoxicated,” with the adjective inebriatus referring to something drunk or overcome by intoxication. It developed through French and English from the Latin root ebrius, meaning “drunk.” The related words inebriety, inebrious, and inebriation continue to express the same Latin family of meanings.
Related word forms
How inebriate is actually used
The verb is formal and literary; the more common modern form is “inebriated,” as in “an inebriated driver.” The noun is less common and sounds dated or literary.