Junk
/dʒʌŋk/
Definitions
3 meaningsWorthless things; rubbish.
/dʒʌŋk/
Worthless or discarded objects.
We need to get rid of all this junk in the attic.
💡 Simply: Junk is stuff you don't want anymore, like old toys, broken electronics, or empty boxes. It's the stuff you would throw in the trash or give away. For example, that old bike in your garage is junk if it doesn't work.
👶 For kids: Junk is things you don't need and want to throw away, like broken toys or old papers.
More Examples
He filled a dumpster with old junk.
The yard was littered with junk and debris after the storm.
How It's Used
"The garage was filled with old junk."
"I need to get rid of all this junk in my house."
Illegal and harmful drugs, especially heroin.
/dʒʌŋk/
Illicit drugs, especially heroin.
The addict was desperate for his daily junk.
💡 Simply: Sometimes 'junk' means illegal drugs, especially heroin. It's like saying something is bad or trash, but in this case, it refers to harmful substances. For example, the person in the story was hooked to junk or illegal drugs
👶 For kids: Junk can also mean bad, yucky things that are illegal like drugs.
More Examples
Authorities are fighting the trafficking of junk in the area.
Her addiction to junk caused major health problems.
How It's Used
"He was hooked on junk."
"The police found him with a supply of junk."
To throw away or get rid of something considered useless or unwanted.
/dʒʌŋk/
To discard or get rid of something.
We junked the old washing machine when it broke down.
💡 Simply: To 'junk' something is to throw it away or get rid of it because it's old, broken, or not needed anymore. It's like deciding to say 'goodbye' to something that isn't useful. For example, the car was so old the owner decided to junk it.
👶 For kids: Junking is like throwing things away that you don't want anymore.
More Examples
They decided to junk the draft of the speech.
He junked all his old CDs in favor of streaming music.
How It's Used
"They decided to junk the old car."
"The company junked the project due to lack of funds."
Idioms & expressions
Junk food
Food with low nutritional value.
"Eating too much junk food can lead to health problems."
Full of junk
Containing a lot of useless or unwanted things.
"Her apartment was full of junk she'd collected over the years."
From the word "jonc" (Old French) meaning "rush" or "reed", later used in English to denote old rope or discarded materials. Also from the Chinese word 'chuan' via nautical use.
Historically, "junk" was used to refer to discarded rope or materials, especially on ships.