Meaning & use
social drinker
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A person who drinks alcohol mainly in company, such as at parties or meals, and not heavily or alone.
Grammar: Refers to a person: I'm only a social drinker.
Patterns
- a social drinker
- only a social drinker
I'm just a social drinker, so I never keep wine at home.
Doctors ask whether you are a heavy drinker or a social drinker.
He considers himself a social drinker and rarely has more than two drinks.
nouncountable
Someone who drinks alcohol occasionally with friends but does not seek it out.
Grammar: Often used on forms or at a doctor's office.
Patterns
- describe yourself as a social drinker
On the health form she described herself as a social drinker.
My uncle is a social drinker and prefers soda at home.
Being a social drinker means you rarely drink alone.
Word forms
| plural | social drinkers |
|---|
Common combinations
- a light social drinker
- He is a light social drinker who enjoys one glass at dinner.
- only a social drinker
- I'm only a social drinker, so one beer is plenty.
- consider yourself a social drinker
- Many people consider themselves social drinkers.
- describe yourself as a social drinker
- She would describe herself as a social drinker.
- a casual social drinker
- As a casual social drinker, he rarely feels the effects.
Synonyms and how they differ
- moderate drinker
- A moderate drinker is defined by how little they drink, while a social drinker is defined by when and with whom.
- occasional drinker
- Occasional drinker focuses on how rarely someone drinks, and not on being with others.
- teetotaler
- A teetotaler never drinks alcohol, whereas a social drinker sometimes does.
- light drinker
- Light drinker stresses small amounts, and does not mention the social setting.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: social drinker or binge drinker?
social drinker vs binge drinker
A binge drinker drinks a lot in a short time, which is not what a social drinker does.
Practice
Dan only drinks wine when he has dinner with friends and never drinks at home. He is best described as a ____.
Choose one answer.
A social drinker drinks in company and in moderation, which matches Dan. The other terms suggest large amounts or harmful habits.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “social drinker”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.