junkie

noun

junk·​ie ˈjəŋ-kē 

variants or less commonly junky

plural junkies

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

• addict
• user

Examples of junkie in a Sentence

heroin junkies wasting their lives

Recent Examples on the Web

Of course, as political junkies in Illinois recall, Pritzker and Kelly have been at odds for years; the governor was instrumental four years ago in pressuring Kelly out as head of Illinois’ Democratic Party. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

McDuffie is known as one of the most intense film and weight room junkies at his position. —Nate Atkins, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026

Political junkies, feel free to scroll through all 482 races. —From Staff Reports, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026

Its Game 2 dominance still resonates with basketball junkies near and far, as the Rudy Gobert-less Wolves held the Nuggets to just 80 points on 35% shooting on a night where defense became cool again. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for junkie

• chunky
• funky
• hunky
• monkey
• spunky

Kids Definition

junkie

noun

junk·​ie

variants also junky

ˈjəŋ-kē 

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