junkie

or junk·y

[juhng-kee]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR junkie ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Informal.

a drug addict, especially one addicted to heroin.

a person with an insatiable craving for something: a chocolate junkie.

an enthusiastic follower; fan; devotee: a baseball junkie.

RELATED WORDS

addict, user

Nearby words

Origin of junkie

First recorded in 1920–25; junk³ + -ie

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for junkie

This junkie is about to begin a three-day, neo-African, sometimes-terrifying, ritualistic trip.
Hallucinating Away a Heroin Addiction|Abby Haglage|May 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That is another way of saying that the junkie, unlike our “American business man,” knows himself.
American Dreams, 1953: ‘Junky’ by William S. Burroughs|Nathaniel Rich|June 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A junkie, on the other hand, exists in a state of constant physical emergency.
American Dreams, 1953: ‘Junky’ by William S. Burroughs|Nathaniel Rich|June 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A junkie uses only to avoid junk sickness, otherwise known as withdrawal.
American Dreams, 1953: ‘Junky’ by William S. Burroughs|Nathaniel Rich|June 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The junkie knows life because he has an intimate knowledge of death.
American Dreams, 1953: ‘Junky’ by William S. Burroughs|Nathaniel Rich|June 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
We need not say that Junkie declined obedience, neither would he listen to the silvery blandishments of Gertie.
The Settler and the Savage|R.M. Ballantyne
It was evident that Junkie had a will of his own, and was accustomed to exert it on all occasions.
The Eagle Cliff|R.M. Ballantyne
Junkie was a little fellow for his age, but remarkably intelligent, active, bright and strong.
The Eagle Cliff|R.M. Ballantyne
The appearance of Junkie in the company of “tigers” and baboons, was, he knew well, a mere juvenile indiscretion.
The Settler and the Savage|R.M. Ballantyne
“Nevertheless, it may not be fair to call it a lie, Junkie,” said Jackman.
The Eagle Cliff|R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for junkie

junkie

junky

noun plural junkies

an informal word for a drug addict, esp one who injects heroin into himself

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

Word Origin and History for junkie

junkie

"drug addict," 1923, from junk (n.1) in the narcotics sense + -y (3). Junker in the same sense is recorded from 1922. Junk for "narcotic" is older.

junkie

or junk·y

noun Informal.

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of junkie

Examples from the Web for junkie

junkie

junky

noun plural junkies

junkie