junk
1[ juhngk ]
/ dʒʌŋk /
noun
verb (used with object)
to cast aside as junk; discard as no longer of use; scrap.
adjective
cheap, worthless, unwanted, or trashy.
QUIZZES
THIS PSAT VOCABULARY QUIZ IS PERFECT PRACTICE FOR THE REAL TEST
In our third teacher-created PSAT practice test there are new and unique vocabulary terms you may have never heard of! Can you guess what they mean?
Question 1 of 10
seclusion
Origin of junk
1First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English jonk, junk “(in sailing) old rope or cable”; further origin uncertain
Definition 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
2First 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
Definition 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
3First recorded in 1920–25; perhaps special use of junk1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for junk
British Dictionary definitions for junk (1 of 2)
junk1
/ (dʒʌŋk) /
noun
discarded or secondhand objects, etc, collectively
informal
- rubbish generally
- 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
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