narcotic
narcotic — adjective
- narcoticpositive
- more narcoticcomparative
- most narcoticsuperlative
1. connected with substances that dull pain, make people sleepy, or involve the ill
connected with substances that dull pain, make people sleepy, or involve the illegal drug trade.
The hospital keeps narcotic medicines in a locked cabinet near the nurses' station.
narcotic + medicines
Customs officers found narcotic powder hidden inside the false bottom of a suitcase.
narcotic + powder
All narcotic prescriptions at the clinic are checked by two pharmacists.
A narcotic squad searched the apartment after neighbors reported late-night dealing.
- drug-related
broader and not limited to narcotic substances
- opiate
narrower and mainly used for drugs linked directly to opium
- non-narcotic
describes a drug or treatment that does not act like a narcotic
文法句型
narcotic + medicine/drug
narcotic + prescription
narcotic + squad/unit
用法筆記
Most often used before nouns such as drug, medicine, prescription, or squad. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 describes the substance or drug-related system, not the dulling effect on a person.
2. making someone feel mentally dull, sleepy, or cut off from what is happening.
making someone feel mentally dull, sleepy, or cut off from what is happening.
After two sleepless nights, the afternoon heat felt almost narcotic.
feel + almost narcotic
The endless hum of the train had a narcotic effect on the tired passengers.
narcotic effect on + people
Warm bathwater and soft music created a narcotic calm in the room.
By midnight, Christopher found the long lecture almost narcotic.
- stimulating
making a person feel more awake or lively
- bracing
giving energy rather than dulling the senses
文法句型
feel/seem + narcotic
a/an + narcotic + effect/calm
用法筆記
Common in descriptive or literary writing for an effect that dulls the mind. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 describes what the experience does to a person, not the drug category itself.
narcotic — noun
- narcoticsingular
- narcoticsplural
1. a controlled drug taken for its strong effects and sold or used illegally.
a controlled drug taken for its strong effects and sold or used illegally.
Police found packets of narcotics under the driver's seat during the traffic stop.
packets of narcotics
The judge warned Leo that selling narcotics near a school brings a longer sentence.
sell narcotics near + place
Nadia's brother entered treatment after years of using narcotics with his old friends.
Smugglers mixed the narcotic with coffee beans to hide the smell.
文法句型
sell/use + narcotics
traffic in + narcotics
a narcotic
用法筆記
Often appears in the plural when people talk about possession, sale, or police action. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 focuses on forbidden drug use or trade, not medical treatment.
常見錯誤
2. a medicine that eases pain and often makes the patient sleepy or less aware.
a medicine that eases pain and often makes the patient sleepy or less aware.
The dentist gave Talia a mild narcotic after the tooth was removed.
give + a narcotic
Because the injury was severe, Jason needed a narcotic for the first night.
need a narcotic
Nurses checked Reema's breathing closely once the narcotic began to work.
The doctor switched Haruto to a weaker narcotic before he went home.
- painkiller
broader everyday word that includes non-narcotic medicines too
- opioid
technical term for this class of strong pain medicine
- sedative
focuses more on calming or sleep than on relieving pain
- stimulant
type of drug that increases alertness instead of dulling pain and awareness
- non-narcotic painkiller
relieves pain without narcotic effects
文法句型
give/prescribe + a narcotic
need/take + a narcotic
the narcotic begins to work
用法筆記
Common in medical contexts and often follows verbs such as give, prescribe, or need. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense refers to a pain-relieving medicine, even when its use is legal.