junk food

American  

noun

1. food, as potato chips or candy, that is high in calories but of little nutritional value.

2. anything that is attractive and diverting but of negligible substance.

   the junk food offered by daytime television.

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junk food British  

noun

1. food that is low in nutritional value, often highly processed or ready-prepared, and eaten instead of or in addition to well-balanced meals

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junk food Idioms  

1. Prepackaged snack food that is high in calories but low in nutritional value; also, anything attractive but negligible in value. For example, Nell loves potato chips and other junk food, or When I'm sick in bed I often resort to TV soap operas and similar junk food. [c. 1970]

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Other Word Forms

• junk-food
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of junk food

An Americanism dating back to 1970–75

Example Sentences

Junk food adverts are being banned on council property in a bid to make the city healthier.

From BBC • Sep. 20, 2025

Junk food advertising also shapes the food norms and attitudes of young people aged 18 to 24.

From Salon • Jul. 16, 2024

Junk food makers who want to get wealthy Need not lie, but they need to be stealthy: “We’ve no gluten, you know! And we’re non-GMO!”

From Washington Post • Sep. 2, 2021

Junk food gummies are guaranteed to be more satisfying than your traditional box of chocolates, with mini fries and pizzas to round out someone’s cravings.

From Slate • Jan. 25, 2018

The Dr. Oz Show Junk food packaged in 100-calorie portions; a one-week plan to beat bloat.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2017