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.
Would the scary girls with fairy wings still be hanging around a trust-fund junkie with a tank of nitrous? — Claire Howorth, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026 The trailer introduces us to our hero, Bryan, played by Austin Abrams, who was the junkie in Weapons. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 23 July 2026 Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images Prediction market platform Kalshi on Wednesday launched a new hub that allows political junkies to see how traders in many event contracts think the midterm elections will play out. — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 22 July 2026 During summer, adrenaline junkies can get their fix on the downhill mountain biking trails and extensive zip line course. — Allison Savage Bates, Denver Post, 19 July 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Junkie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/junkie. Accessed 11 Aug. 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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