1
: drunk sense 1
a drunken driver
2
obsolete : saturated with liquid
3
a
: given to habitual excessive use of alcohol
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by intoxication
they come from … broken homes, drunken homes P. B. Gilliam
c
: resulting from or as if from intoxication
a drunken brawl
4
: unsteady or lurching as if from alcoholic intoxication
drunkenly adverb

Examples of drunken in a Sentence

The streets were filled with drunken revelers on New Year's Eve. He lives in an apartment with his drunken mother. He fell into a drunken stupor. A drunken brawl broke out at the bar.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That path is instantly decimated as a more and more drunken Adriana spends the day going scorched earth on Marysol, both behind her back and to her face. Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 July 2025 The menu includes drunken noodles with Chinese broccoli, peppers, onions and Thai basil in soy sauce; lo mein, with egg noodles, cabbage and vegetables in XO sauce, and rice dishes such as General Tso's chicken and sweet-and-sour chicken. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025 Ferbert said during a news conference Monday that the hookah lounge had become known for late-night parties that often ended in fights or loud, drunken crowds in the parking lot, causing issues in the community. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025 Dan Patrick: The sportscaster and radio personality plays the host of Sports Hole with Pat Daniels, who breaks the news of Happy's drunken debacle at the municipal course. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for drunken

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English druncen, from past participle of drincan to drink

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of drunken was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drunken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drunken. Accessed 14 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

drunken

adjective
1
b
: having a habit of drinking too much alcohol
2
a
: resulting from being drunk
a drunken brawl
drunkenly adverb

Medical Definition

drunken

adjective
1
: drunk sense 1
a drunken driver
2
a
: given to habitual excessive use of alcohol
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by intoxication
drunken parties
c
: resulting from or as if from intoxication
a drunken stupor
drunkenly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on drunken

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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