Drunkard
/ˈdrʌŋ.kərd/noun
A person who is habitually or frequently drunk.
Did you know?The suffix “-ard,” as in drunkard and wizard, began as a Germanic element associated with strength or character before becoming a pejorative marker in French and English.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰreǵ-
“To swallow or consume; the reconstructed root associated with the Germanic drink family.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*drankjaną / *drunkunaz
“To drink; drunk or having consumed drink.”
Old English
Old English
drincan / druncen
“To drink; drunk or intoxicated.”
Middle English
Middle English
drunk
“Intoxicated; the past participle and adjective related to drink.”
16th Century
English
drunkard
“A habitual drinker or intoxicated person, formed from drunk plus the pejorative suffix -ard.”
Modern English
English
drunkard
“A person who is habitually or frequently drunk.”