junkie

noun

junk·​ie ˈjəŋ-kē How to pronounce junkie (audio)
variants or less commonly junky
plural junkies
Synonyms of junkienext
1
a
disparaging + offensive : a person who is addicted to narcotics and especially to heroin
b
: a person who gets an unusual amount of pleasure from or has an unusual amount of interest in something
a television news junkie
Adrenaline junkies weren't the only ones who marveled as Austrian daredevil Baumgartner broke the world record for the highest and fastest skydive …—Maura Judkis
2
: a junk dealer

Synonyms of junkie

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Examples of junkie in a Sentence

heroin junkies wasting their lives
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But although Ossoff’s aside resonated with the junkies, the majority of Americans likely had no idea who this Natalie woman was, and might never have given it another thought. — Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026 The 17,000-square-foot space, with its sensory thermal sanctuary, rituals rooted in South American healing traditions and cutting-edge treatments, instantly caught the attention of wellness junkies. — Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 The company’s goal is to appeal to history buffs and live music junkies alike. — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026 Chloe Webb’s performance as Nancy Spungen, the junkie girlfriend who Sid probably murdered (the role of Nancy was originally supposed to go to Courtney Love), is breathtaking in the nakedness of its emotion. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for junkie

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of junkie was in 1902

Rhymes for junkie

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Browse Nearby Words

junk food
junkie
junk jewelry
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Cite this Entry

“Junkie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/junkie. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

junkie

noun
junk·​ie
variants also junky
ˈjəŋ-kē How to pronounce junkie (audio)
plural junkies
1
: a person who sells or is addicted to narcotics
2
: a person who gets an unusual amount of pleasure from or is dependent on something
a sugar junkie
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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