Origin: Latin suffix -ive
Addictive has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
A drug that causes an addiction.
"The new prescription was so addictive that he struggled to stop taking it even after his pain subsided."
"This new app has become an addictive for teenagers who spend hours scrolling through photos."
causing or characterized by addiction
"addictive drugs"
"addictive behavior"
Causing or tending to cause addiction; habit-forming.
"The new video game became addictive, and he couldn't stop playing even when he had important work to do."
In plain English: Addictive describes something so habit-forming that you feel unable to stop using it even when you want to.
"The new video game is so addictive that I spend hours playing every night."
Usage: While often used casually to describe any highly enjoyable activity, the term technically refers specifically to substances or behaviors that induce physiological dependence. Avoid applying it loosely to things like chocolate or video games unless there is evidence of a clinical addiction pattern.
The word "addictive" entered English around 1914, derived directly from the noun "addiction." While that earlier term was first used in 1906 specifically regarding opium and appeared once for tobacco in 1779, it has since broadened to describe anything causing a strong habit.