Narcotics are drugs such as opium or heroin which make you sleepy and stop you feeling pain. You can also use narcotics, especially in American English, to mean any kind of illegal drug.
He was indicted for dealing in narcotics.
He appears to be high on some sort of narcotic.
Synonyms: drug, anaesthetic, downer [informal], painkiller More Synonyms of narcotic
2. adjective
If something, especially a drug, has a narcotic effect, it makes the person who uses it feel sleepy.
...hormones that have a narcotic effect on the immune system.
Synonyms: sedative, calming, dulling, numbing More Synonyms of narcotic
narcotic in British English
(nɑːˈkɒtɪk)
noun
1.
any of a group of drugs, such as heroin, morphine, and pethidine, that produce numbness and stupor. They are used medicinally to relieve pain but are sometimes also taken for their pleasant effects; prolonged use may cause addiction
2.
anything that relieves pain or induces sleep, mental numbness, etc
3.
any illegal drug
adjective
4.
of, relating to, or designating narcotics
5.
of or relating to narcotics addicts or users
6.
of or relating to narcosis
Derived forms
narcotically (narˈcotically)
adverb
Word origin
C14: via Medieval Latin from Greek narkōtikós, from narkoūn to render numb, from narkē numbness
narcotic in American English
(nɑrˈkɑtɪk)
noun
1.
a drug, as opium or any of its derivatives (morphine, heroin, codeine, etc.), used to relieve pain and induce sleep: narcotics are often addictive and in excessive doses can cause stupor, coma, or death
2.
anything that has a soothing, lulling, or dulling effect
adjective
3.
of, like, or capable of producing narcosis
4.
of, by, or for narcotic addicts
Word origin
ME narcotyke < OFr narcotique, orig. adj. < ML narcoticus < Gr narkoun, to benumb < narkē, numbness, stupor < IE *nerk- < base *(s)ner-, to twist, entwine > snare, narrow
narcotic in the Pharmaceutical Industry1
(nɑrkɒtɪk)
Word forms: (regular plural) narcotics
noun
(Pharmaceutical: Drugs)
A narcotic is any of a group of drugs, such as heroin, morphine, and pethidine, that producenumbness and near-unconsciousness. Narcotics are used medicinally to relieve pain.
As well as relieving their pain, a narcotic can make a patient sleepy or unconscious.
Narcotics are drugs from the opiate family that can treat moderate to severe pain.
A narcotic is any of a group of drugs, such as heroin, morphine, and pethidine, that producenumbness and near-unconsciousness.
narcotic in the Pharmaceutical Industry2
(nɑrkɒtɪk)
adjective
(Pharmaceutical: Physiology)
A narcotic drug relieves pain or induces numbness or sleepiness.
The drug has a narcotic effect and will make you feel sleepy.
Narcotic drugs, such as pethidine and morphine, relieve pain and cause drowsiness or sleep.
A narcotic drug relieves pain or induces numbness or sleepiness.
Examples of 'narcotic' in a sentence
narcotic
The ability to procure what is otherwise considered an illegal narcotic reflects a softening stance towards it.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Brain similarities are suggested by the effects of narcotics.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Meanwhile, organised crime continues to flourish on the back of the trade in illegal narcotics.
The Sun (2011)
Most addicts look like you and me and are hooked not on illegal narcotics like heroin but on medicines such as sleeping tablets and painkillers.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The only problem is, it's based on illegal narcotics.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He said: 'A usable amount of an illegal narcotic tentatively identified as cocaine was recovered.
The Sun (2007)
In other languages
narcotic
British English: narcotic NOUN
Narcotics are drugs such as opium or heroin which make you sleepy and stop you feeling pain. You can also use narcotics, especially in American English, to mean any kind of illegal drug.
He was indicted for dealing in narcotics.
American English: narcotic
Brazilian Portuguese: narcótico
Chinese: 麻醉剂
European Spanish: narcótico
French: stupéfiant
German: Narkotikum
Italian: narcotico
Japanese: 麻薬
Korean: 마약
European Portuguese: narcótico
Latin American Spanish: narcótico
British English: narcotic ADJECTIVE
If something, especially a drug, has a narcotic effect, it makes the person who uses it feel sleepy.
...hormones that have a narcotic effect on the immune system.