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

• addict
• user

Examples of junkie in a Sentence

heroin junkies wasting their lives

Recent Examples on the Web

Blue took particular issue with Cam publicly branding Broner as an alcoholic and a junkie following the interview, despite voicing his love for the former champ while in his presence. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 Sep. 2025

With flashing lights, laughing and screaming, this ride is one for the adrenaline junkies. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 22 Sep. 2025

Rivard, once an adventure sports junkie with a passion for skiing, turned to art after an injury in his 20s left him immobile. —Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Andra is a low-key adrenaline junkie. —Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025

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