heavily drunk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heavily drunk" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone who has become very intoxicated. For example: "The man staggered out of the bar, heavily drunk from his binge drinking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I suddenly felt very dizzy, as if I were heavily drunk," said Zeng Hui, who works on the 22nd floor of an office tower in Beijing.

The New York Times

If we were at a dinner party I'd be sorely tempted to get heavily drunk and start putting the steak knife to murderous uses".

The Guardian - Sport

"Obviously when people are heavily drunk they are a danger to themselves and more likely to get caught up in rows or fights.

BBC

The patient, heavily drunk, allegedly grasped a high-voltage (400 kV) live wire on a pylon and was found 15 feet away; she had sustained polytrauma requiring splenectomy for splenic rupture and chest drains for pneumothoraces.

Critical Care

Try not to become heavily drunk for this can create problems and could spoil a great night.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He said: "When I got on the train it was worse than rush hour, and with every station it went through more and more heavily-drunk people seemed to be getting on.

The Guardian

Around 8 AM on Labor Day 2016, the police arrested a heavily intoxicated 20-year-old Regenald Moise for drunk driving.

Vice

Around 8 AM on Labor Day 2016, the police arrested a heavily intoxicated 20-year-old Regenald Moise for drunk driving.

Vice

They must have drunk heavily between shifts.

The Guardian - Travel

Pausch has never smoked or drunk heavily, and used to exercise every day.

Independent

He had taken a cocktail of speed, cocaine and ecstasy and had drunk heavily, according to the post mortem results.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heavily drunk" to vividly depict an extreme state of intoxication, often implying loss of control or impaired judgment.

Common error

Avoid using "heavily drunk" in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more neutral terms like "intoxicated" or "under the influence" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heavily drunk" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun (typically a person) to indicate a state of intense alcohol intoxication. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and appropriate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heavily drunk" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe someone who is extremely intoxicated. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides multiple real-world examples. While the phrase is commonly found in news and media contexts, it may not be appropriate for formal writing where more neutral terms like "intoxicated" are preferred. Related phrases such as "severely intoxicated" or "extremely drunk" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severely intoxicated

Focuses on the state of being poisoned by alcohol, implying a strong effect.

extremely drunk

Emphasizes the high degree of drunkenness.

highly intoxicated

Similar to severely intoxicated, highlights the level of impairment.

blind drunk

Implies a state of extreme intoxication, often to the point of losing control.

dead drunk

Suggests a state of being completely incapacitated by alcohol.

heavily intoxicated

Uses a synonym for "drunk", maintaining the intensity of the original phrase.

very drunk

A more straightforward way to express a high level of intoxication.

completely inebriated

Uses a formal term to describe a state of drunkenness.

utterly drunk

Emphasizes the completeness of the intoxication.

thoroughly drunk

Suggests a comprehensive state of intoxication.

FAQs

What does "heavily drunk" mean?

The phrase "heavily drunk" describes a state of significant alcohol intoxication, implying a substantial impairment of physical and mental faculties.

What can I say instead of "heavily drunk"?

You can use alternatives like "severely intoxicated", "extremely drunk", or "highly intoxicated" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "heavily drunk" or "heavily intoxicated"?

"Heavily intoxicated" might be considered slightly more formal, but both phrases are acceptable. The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired tone.

How to use "heavily drunk" in a sentence?

Example: "The man was "heavily drunk" and unable to walk straight."