Junkie: meaning, definitions and examples

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junkie

 

[ หˆdส’สŒล‹ki ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

drug addiction

A junkie is a person who is addicted to drugs, especially heroin or other opiates. Junkies often engage in risky behavior to obtain drugs, and their addiction can have severe physical and mental health consequences.

Synonyms

addict, drug abuser, junky, user.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
junkie

Informal term often used derogatorily to describe someone addicted to drugs. It is usually used in casual conversations but can be considered offensive.

  • He used to be a junkie, but now he's clean for five years.
  • The neighborhood has issues with junkies and crime.
addict

General term for someone who is physically or mentally dependent on a particular substance. It can be used in various settings, including medical or social ones.

  • She is a recovering addict who has been clean for two years.
  • The program helps addicts overcome their dependency on drugs.
drug abuser

A term often used in more formal settings or discussions about health and social issues. It describes someone who uses drugs in a harmful way.

  • The clinic provides support and treatment for drug abusers.
  • He was arrested for being a drug abuser.
user

A neutral term, generally used to refer to someone who uses drugs. It can be applied broadly and is often used in both clinical and informal contexts.

  • The program helps users find healthier ways to live.
  • He's known to be a regular user of illegal substances.
junky

Similar to 'junkie,' this is an informal and slang term. It carries a negative connotation and is often used in a derogatory manner.

  • She left him because he turned into a junky.
  • The park is notorious for being a hangout spot for junkies.

Examples of usage

  • Tommy used to be a junkie, but he's been clean for two years now.
  • The city has a growing problem with junkies overdosing in public places.
Context #2 | Noun

obsessive enthusiast

In a more informal context, a junkie can also refer to a person who is extremely enthusiastic about a particular hobby or activity. For example, a music junkie is someone who is passionate about discovering and listening to new music.

Synonyms

devotee, enthusiast, fanatic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
junkie

Junkie is often used in a negative context to describe someone who is obsessively and destructively addicted to something, most commonly drugs.

  • He became a junkie after struggling with depression for years.
  • The street was known for its high population of junkies.
enthusiast

Enthusiast is a neutral and widely-used word to describe someone who has a strong interest in a particular subject or activity, without implying obsession or extreme devotion.

  • He's a car enthusiast and loves to attend auto shows.
  • As a travel enthusiast, she has visited over 30 countries.
fanatic

Fanatic has a strong, often negative connotation, describing someone who is obsessively enthusiastic about a particular interest, sometimes to an extreme or irrational degree.

  • The sports fanatic painted his entire house in his team's colors.
  • Her colleagues often found her political views to be somewhat fanatic.
devotee

Devotee is used positively to describe someone who is very dedicated and passionate about a specific interest, hobby, or cause. It implies a deep respect and commitment.

  • She is a devotee of classical music, attending concerts whenever she can.
  • As a yoga devotee, he practices every single day.

Examples of usage

  • She's a real fashion junkie, always keeping up with the latest trends.
  • He's a self-proclaimed book junkie, with a library filled with novels from various genres.

Translations

Translations of the word "junkie" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น viciado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเคถเฅ‡เคกเคผเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Sรผchtiger

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pecandu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝะฐั€ะบะพะผะฐะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ narkoman

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ไธญๆฏ’่€…

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท droguรฉ

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ adicto

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท baฤŸฤฑmlฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ค‘๋…์ž

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุฏู…ู†

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ narkoman

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ narkoman

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็˜พๅ›ๅญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ odvisnik

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fรญkill

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฝะฐัˆะฐา›ะพั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒœแƒแƒ แƒ™แƒแƒ›แƒแƒœแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ narkoman

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ adicto

Etymology

The term 'junkie' originated in the 1920s and was initially used to describe drug addicts, particularly those addicted to heroin. Over time, the word has also been adopted to refer to individuals with an intense passion or obsession for a particular activity or interest. The derogatory nature of the term when used in the context of drug addiction reflects societal attitudes towards substance abuse.

See also: junk, junky.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,451 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.