junk mail

American  

noun

1. unsolicited commercial mail or email.

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junk mail British  

noun

1. untargeted mail advertising goods or services

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junk mail Idioms  

1. Third-class mail, such as unsolicited advertisements and flyers, that is sent indiscriminately. For example, While we were on vacation the front hall filled up with junk mail. [c. 1950]

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Etymology

Origin of junk mail

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Tags, receipts, ticket stubs, candy wrappers, even junk mail — they’re all gold for a junk journal.

From Los Angeles Times

Rice missed the initial notice in the mail, he said, possibly tossing out the letter thinking it was junk mail.

From Los Angeles Times

A neighbour who worked for the Post Office offered to find out why the couple had not received letters or even junk mail for months.

From BBC

Everything from newspapers and junk mail to paperboard envelopes and cardboard boxes can pile up, especially as internet shopping has exploded in popularity.

From Science Daily

She said the October lawsuit went to her junk mail folder and she never saw it.

From Seattle Times