junker
noun
a car that is old, worn out, or in bad enough repair to be scrapped.
junker
1 American
[juhng-ker]
/ ˈdʒʌŋ kər /
noun
Slang.
Junker
2
American
[yoong-ker]
/ ˈjʊŋ kər /
noun
-
a member of a class of aristocratic landholders, especially in East Prussia, strongly devoted to militarism and authoritarianism, from among whom the German military forces recruited a large number of its officers.
-
a young German, especially Prussian, nobleman.
-
a German official or military officer who is narrow-minded, haughty, and overbearing.
Junker
British
/ ˈjʊŋkə /
noun
-
history any of the aristocratic landowners of Prussia who were devoted to maintaining their identity and extensive social and political privileges
-
an arrogant, narrow-minded, and tyrannical German army officer or official
-
(formerly) a young German nobleman
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of junker1
1880–85, for an earlier sense; junk 1 + -er 1
Origin of Junker2
1545–55; < German; Old High German junchērro, equivalent to junc young + hērro Herr
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
So when a crew of construction workers comes to tow the junker away, the outraged children run home to share their misfortune with their parents, only to be quickly rebuffed.
From Salon ● Jan. 24, 2023
Even worse: They’re still stuck with the junker R.V.
From New York Times ● Oct. 23, 2016
“It was a half a junker, but it was fast as hell,” Doyle said.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 1, 2016
His first car was a junker that he spent two years rebuilding before it would run.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 22, 2012
McCoy’s junker of a car trundled down the street.
From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia
Receiver Jack Junker was Fahey’s favorite target on Thursday, catching 10 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2025
“It was a deep shot to the corner. See if we could make a play,” Junker said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2025
Junker concurs, adding that efforts to address this must be primarily socioeconomic.
From Scientific American ● May 8, 2023
“It’s a good first attempt,” Junker says, but “we need more detailed information.”
From Scientific American ● May 8, 2023
Among the spectators he recognised Junker Christopher's dark countenance, strongly lit up by a torch.
From King Eric and the Outlaws, Vol. 2 or, the Throne, the Church, and the People in the Thirteenth Century. Vol. I. by Ingemann, Bernhard Severin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
