wino

A wino is a slang term for a person who habitually consumes large amounts of wine, often to the point of intoxication. The term is informal and generally pejorative, and it can carry implications of lifestyle volatility, social marginalization, or homelessness. It is not a clinical term.

The word combines the noun wine with the diminutive and colloquial suffix -o. It appears in American English in the 20th century and remains common in informal speech in various English-speaking contexts. While sometimes used to refer to anyone who drinks wine heavily, it is frequently linked to people who drink wine in public or who face social or economic marginalization.

Because it is stigmatizing, the term can deter individuals from seeking help and can reinforce stereotypes about addiction and homelessness. It is more common in media and informal conversation than in professional or clinical discourse.

Chronic heavy wine consumption can contribute to health problems such as liver disease, cardiovascular issues, and alcohol dependence. In clinical terms, alcohol use disorder may be diagnosed if criteria are met. Interventions range from medical assessment and addiction treatment to social services and harm-reduction approaches. Depending on context, support may focus on housing, access to treatment, and education about safer drinking practices.