besoffen

Definition & meaning

The word "besoffen" is a common German adjective used to describe someone who is drunk or intoxicated due to the consumption of alcohol.

• Primary meaning: Intoxicated, under the influence of alcohol. It describes the state of being unable to function normally or showing signs of impaired coordination, speech, or judgment after drinking.
• Secondary meaning (figurative): It can also be used in a metaphorical sense to describe someone who is overwhelmed by a strong emotion or state, such as "liebesbesoffen" (drunk on love) or "machtbesoffen" (intoxicated by power).

Grammar & Word origin

"Besoffen" is the past participle of the verb "saufen" (to drink heavily, often used for animals or in a derogatory way for humans).

• Part of speech: Adjective.
• Origin: The word comes from the prefix "be-" (covering or affecting) and the verb "saufen". It is considered colloquial and is frequently used in informal settings, though it is not strictly vulgar, it is less formal than "betrunken".

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• betrunken↗
• angeheitert↗ (slightly drunk/tipsy)
• voll↗ (colloquial, meaning "full")
• blau↗ (idiomatic, meaning "blue")
• berauscht↗

Antonyms:

• nüchtern↗ (sober)
• klar↗ (clear-headed)