What does intoxicant mean?
An intoxicant is a substance that produces intoxication, most often an alcoholic drink such as wine, beer, or spirits. The word can also function as an adjective meaning intoxicating or capable of causing intoxication. In modern usage, it has a broader, formal tone and is frequently found in discussions of law, history, medicine, and literature: governments regulate the sale of certain intoxicants, while literary accounts may describe characters falling asleep under the influence of an intoxicant. Although “intoxicant” is sometimes used more loosely for any substance that impairs judgment, its strongest traditional association is with alcoholic beverages. The term is useful in formal writing because it distinguishes the substance itself from intoxication, the condition experienced by a person, and intoxication, the process of becoming impaired. It can also convey the idea of powerful or overwhelming effects, especially when modified by words such as “powerful” or “potent.”
A substance, especially an alcoholic drink, that causes intoxication.
"The country has strict laws governing the sale of intoxicants to minors."
Formal and especially associated with alcoholic beverages, but also used more broadly for substances that cause intoxication.
Intoxicating or capable of causing intoxication.
"The drink had an unexpectedly intoxicant effect on her."
Literary and less common than the participial adjective “intoxicating.”
Used when referring to more than one intoxicating substance, particularly in legal, historical, or literary contexts.
"Several intoxicants were prohibited during the festival."
What began by describing the effect of poison came to describe a potent drink: the word's linguistic journey runs from toxicity to tipsiness.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intoxicant come from?
Intoxicant ultimately derives from the Latin word toxicus, meaning “poisonous,” through the Latin stem intoxicare and the English word intoxicate. The suffix “-ant” forms a noun denoting an agent or substance that produces a particular effect. The semantic development from poison to alcohol reflects the longstanding recognition that alcohol can be both intoxicating and, in large quantities, toxic.
Related word forms
How intoxicant is actually used
As a noun, the word is formal and is especially common in legal, literary, and historical contexts. As an adjective, it is somewhat literary and normally takes the place of the more familiar word “intoxicating.”
Easily confused with intoxicant
An intoxicant is the substance that causes intoxication, whereas intoxicated describes a person or condition affected by it.
Inebriant is a largely formal synonym for a substance that causes intoxication, especially alcohol.