junk

junk — noun

1. objects or materials that are no longer wanted or needed because they are old, b

1.nounB1
Definition

objects or materials that are no longer wanted or needed because they are old, broken, or of little value

Example

Irina cleared out all the junk from her garage before the moving truck arrived.

collocation: junk from [place]

The old television in the basement is nothing but junk now and should be recycled.

Common collocations
  • piece of junk
  • load of junk
  • full of junk
  • junk shop
  • junk dealer
Synonyms
  • trash

    more common in American English; often refers to household waste specifically

  • rubbish

    more common in British English; can also mean something of poor quality

  • clutter

    suggests a messy collection rather than outright worthless items

  • scrap

    implies material that can be reused or recycled, especially metal

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

junk + in/from [place]

Usage Note

Often used with 'a piece of' or 'a load of' to emphasise the worthlessness of an object or collection.

Common Mistakes

I need to get rid of my junks.
I need to get rid of my junk.
Junk is uncountable, so no plural form.

2. an illegal and highly addictive drug, especially heroin, as referred to in stree

2.nounC2
Definition

an illegal and highly addictive drug, especially heroin, as referred to in street slang from the mid-20th century

Example

The undercover officer bought junk from a dealer near the old warehouse.

slang: junk meaning heroin

Many musicians in the 1960s wrote songs about the dangers of getting hooked on junk.

Common collocations
  • hooked on junk
  • sell junk
  • junk dealer
Synonyms
  • heroin

    the standard, neutral term for the drug

  • smack

    another slang term for heroin, still more current than 'junk'

Usage Note

This slang sense peaked in the 1950s–1970s and is rarely used in modern English. It is associated with the word 'junkie' (a person addicted to drugs). Avoid using this term in serious discussions about drug abuse — use 'heroin' instead.

3. a type of historical Chinese vessel designed with a shallow keel, rectangular sa

3.nounC2
Definition

a type of historical Chinese vessel designed with a shallow keel, rectangular sails, and a raised aft section, mainly used for carrying goods across the seas of eastern Asia

Example

The museum displayed a detailed model of a junk that sailed during the Ming dynasty.

technical term: junk (ship type)

Fishermen still use a small junk to carry goods between the islands near Hong Kong.

Common collocations
  • square-sailed junk
  • Chinese junk
  • Ming dynasty junk
  • junk rig

Usage Note

This is a specialised historical and nautical term. Most English speakers are only vaguely familiar with the word through history books, museums, or films about maritime Asia.

4. a man's external sexual organs, referred to using a crude and offensive slang te

4.nounC2
Definition

a man's external sexual organs, referred to using a crude and offensive slang term

Example

The comedian's jokes about his junk were met with awkward silence from the audience.

vulgar slang: junk = male genitals

The doctor asked him to wear a gown so he could examine his junk properly.

Usage Note

This sense is highly vulgar and considered offensive or inappropriate in most contexts. Learners should be aware of the meaning for comprehension but avoid using it themselves, especially in formal, professional, or public settings.

junk — verb

Word family

  • junkie
    nounC1
  • junky
    adjectiveC1
  • junk food
    nounB1
  • junk mail
    nounB2
  • junk yard
    nounB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe unwanted items, but they differ in scope and connotation. 'Trash' (American) and 'rubbish' (British) are the broadest terms, covering household waste and anything worthless. 'Clutter' focuses on messy accumulation rather than worthlessness — a room can be full of clutter even if the items have value. 'Scrap' implies potential for recycling or reuse, especially of metal or machinery. 'Junk' sits between them: it suggests an item is both worthless and worn out. A broken chair is junk; old love letters are clutter; a rusty car body is scrap; an empty soda can is trash.

trash ↗rubbish ↗clutter ↗scrap

Common collocations

Nouns

  • junk food
  • junk mail
  • junk shop
  • junk yard
  • junk dealer
  • piece of junk

Phrases

  • a load of junk
  • a pile of junk
  • junk [something] out

Prepositions

  • junk in [place]
  • junk from [place]
  • full of junk

Etymology

LatinMiddle EnglishEnglish

The English word 'junk' first appeared in the 1400s meaning 'old cable or rope' used on ships. It probably came from Latin 'juncus' meaning 'reed' or 'rush' — plants woven into rope. Over time, sailors began using the word for any worn-out ship material, and by the 1800s it had broadened to mean any old or discarded items. The sense for the Chinese sailing ship (noun sense 3) entered English separately through Portuguese 'junco', from Malay 'djong', and is unrelated to the 'worthless things' meaning.