Addictive vs Addicting

Addictive is pretty universally seen as correct. You do hear "addicting" in the United States but rarely anywhere else.

Addictive

"Addicting" was seen as non-standard, even incorrect, twenty years ago. It is now commonly used by American youth.

I’ve never heard ‘addicting’ used in this way by a British English native speaker.

I think the main difference is that we don't use "addicting" as a verb, unlink the other "-ing" words. The reason we almost never use **"addict"** as a verb in regular conversation has to do with **how English evolves**, especially around **formality**, **clarity**, and **natural usage**. Why? # 1. Formality Shift * **"Addict"** as a verb sounds **formal** or even a bit **old-fashioned**. * Example: *He addicted himself to opium.* (This sounds like 1800s literature.) * In **modern English**, we tend to **simplify** or use **phrases** that feel more natural: * *He* ***got addicted*** *to opium.* * *He* ***became addicted*** *to opium.* # 2. Passive Over Active * "Addict" is often thought of as something that **happens to you**, not something you actively **do** to yourself. * So instead of saying: * *He addicted himself*, we say: * *He became addicted.* * The verb **"to addict"** implies **intentional action**, which doesn’t match how addiction is usually experienced (as involuntary or out of control). #

Both are correct, but to my British ears addicting sounds wrong and I don't think I've heared a British person use it. I think addicting is more common in US English.

I think this is an Americanism. I can imagine uses were "addicting" would be correct in British English but they are so rare that I'd default to saying the word dosnt exist. This is the only example I can think of: "I am a drug dealer and have given Joe addictive drugs to get him addicted. With these free samples I am addicting him to my product. This is because addicts make good customers" Tried to work in other conjugations too.

I would think of addictive and referring to the substance itself, while addicting might refer more to the act of taking the drug. Seems like a pretty subtle distinction, and I doubt it he wort addicting is really necessary.

It's always been my understanding that a person can be addictive, as in prone to addiction. "Addicting" is a property of the phone here. But these get flip-flopped so much now it probably doesn't matter - it'll be understood through context...

Addictive. Addicting just sounds wrong

addicting is not a word. addictive is correct

This is just me, but I find I’m more likely to use addictive with a substance, and addicting with an action or person. I think addictive has an almost universally negative connotation as well, whereas addicting can be less so. For instance “I can’t get enough of this girl I’ve been seeing, her kisses are so addicting!” 

Addictive means the subject is habit-forming. Gambling is addictive, etc. Addicting is the present action of getting someone "hooked" on doing something, whether it's normally addictive or not. It would be rare to necessarily use it though. The example to explain "addicting" is something like this. You caused your friend to get addicted to going to spin class with you. So, in the past at some point, you were "addicting" them to spin classes.

Addictive is correct imo

your phone is addictive. Phones are addicting. so: My phone is very ADDICTIVE My phone is ADDICTING

'addictive' describes a quality of the phone. 'addicting' could be used in some very strange scenarios to describe the act of getting one addicted

I have definitely used both. To me, they're equally interchangeable (US, gen-z). Edit: In the US, at the very least in informal conversation, "addicting" is an acceptable alternative of "addictive". [Link for any pedants who want to consult the dictionary](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addicting). Remember that just because it's not in your dialect, that doesn't mean that other people's dialects are incorrect! That's the beauty of language! It's very diverse.

"Addicting" as an adjective always sounded silly to me but I hear it all the time so it wouldn't turn heads. I think "addictive" is the better way to go

Here is a way to think of it: Addictive = **State** (Describes a quality or condition) * It’s like saying something has the property of causing addiction. * Think of it as steady or inherent. * It describes what something is. Examples: * Caffeine is addictive = It has the quality of causing addiction. * My phone is addictive = Phone is not active. * He's got an addictive personality = His personality tends to lead to addictions. Addicting = Action (Describes the process or effect in the moment) * It's more active or dynamic—like something is making you addicted right now. * It's in the process of having an effect. * It describes what something is doing. Examples: * This game is addicting = It's making me want more and more **right now**. * Using my phone is addicting = The activity is what is causing addiction. * That song is addicting = The **process** of being hooked is happening. Your Rule of Thumb: * Addictive = The **thing is addictive**. (Property, steady state) * Addicting = The thing is **causing addiction** now. (Process, action) Some people treat them almost interchangeably in casual speech, but that state vs. action lens really captures the nuance.

I’ve heard both, but “addicting” to me is not correct. The adjective is addictive, and to my knowledge there is no verb “to addict” that would produce a gerund “addicting”

I think “addictive” is correct, but both are useable in casual conversation.

Both, they’re interchangeable (at least in a casual situation). Even as a native speaker I wasn’t sure there was a difference and had to look it up to be 100% sure.

both are correct

I don't hear "addictive" very often in casual conversation, "addicting" is more common in my experience.