junkie

or junk·y

[ juhng-kee ]

/ ˈdʒʌŋ ki /

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

junkerdom, junkerism, junkers, junket, junketeer, junkie, junkman, junky, junkyard, juno, juno and the paycock

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

/ (ˈdʒʌŋkɪ) /

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.