diabetic

1 of 2

adjective

di·​a·​bet·​ic ˌdī-ə-ˈbe-tik How to pronounce diabetic (audio)
1
: of or relating to diabetes or diabetics
2
: affected with diabetes
3
: occurring in or caused by diabetes
diabetic coma
4
: suitable for diabetics
diabetic food

diabetic

2 of 2

noun

: a person affected with diabetes

Examples of diabetic in a Sentence

Adjective new drugs for treating diabetic patients
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Blodgett isn’t the only diabetic child to die after a stay at an Arizona group home. — Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 That, combined with helping diabetic children and insulin pump users, means this tech should be a no-brainer, right? — Victoria Song, The Verge, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
The idea is to not only provide an actionable warning system, but to do so in a way that’s already familiar to diabetics. — Victoria Song, The Verge, 2 Sep. 2026 Michaels, a Type 1 diabetic who recently had a kidney stone removed as well as a ureteral stent placed, returned to the stage following the surgery with a gig Friday night in Sugar Hill, Georgia. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diabetic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin diabēticus, from Late Latin diabētēs diabetes + -icus -ic entry 1

Noun

borrowed from Medieval Latin diabēticus, noun derivative of diabēticus diabetic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1763, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diabetic was in 1702

Rhymes for diabetic

See All Rhymes for diabetic

Browse Nearby Words

diabetes mellitus
diabetic
diabetogenic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diabetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diabetic. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

diabetic

1 of 2 adjective
di·​a·​bet·​ic ˌdī-ə-ˈbet-ik How to pronounce diabetic (audio)
: of, relating to, or having diabetes
a diabetic person

diabetic

2 of 2 noun
: a person who has diabetes

Medical Definition

diabetic

1 of 2 adjective
di·​a·​bet·​ic ˌdī-ə-ˈbet-ik How to pronounce diabetic (audio)
1
: of or relating to diabetes or diabetics
2
: affected with diabetes
3
: occurring in or caused by diabetes
a diabetic coma
4
: suitable for diabetics
diabetic food

diabetic

2 of 2 noun
: a person affected with diabetes
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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