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junk

1
[ juhngk ]
/ dʒʌŋk /
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See synonyms for: junk / junked / junker / junkest on Thesaurus.com

noun
verb (used with object)
to cast aside as junk; discard as no longer of use; scrap.
adjective
cheap, worthless, unwanted, or trashy.
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Origin of junk

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English jonk, junk “(in sailing) old rope or cable”; further origin uncertain

Other definitions for junk (2 of 3)

junk2
[ juhngk ]
/ dʒʌŋk /

noun
a seagoing ship with a traditional Chinese design and used primarily in Chinese waters, having square sails spread by battens, a high stern, and usually a flat bottom.

Origin of junk

2
First recorded in 1545–55; from Portuguese junco, from Malay jong “large boat, ship,” possibly from dialectal Chinese (Xiamen) chûn; compare Guangdong (Cantonese) dialect syùhn, (Mandarin) Chinese chuán

Other definitions for junk (3 of 3)

junk3
[ juhngk ]
/ dʒʌŋk /

noun Slang.
narcotics, especially heroin.
the external genitals: I kicked him in the junk.

Origin of junk

3
First recorded in 1920–25; perhaps special use of junk1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use junk in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for junk (1 of 2)

junk1
/ (dʒʌŋk) /

noun
discarded or secondhand objects, etc, collectively
informal
  1. rubbish generally
  2. nonsensethe play was absolute junk
slang any narcotic drug, esp heroin
verb
(tr) informal to discard as junk; scrap

Word Origin for junk

C15 jonke old useless rope

British Dictionary definitions for junk (2 of 2)

junk2
/ (dʒʌŋk) /

noun
a sailing vessel used in Chinese waters and characterized by a very high poop, flat bottom, and square sails supported by battens

Word Origin for junk

C17: from Portuguese junco, from Javanese jon; related to Dutch jonk
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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