English Reference
Noun

junkie

n. countable
C1 Advanced US /ˈdʒəŋki/ UK /dʒˈʌŋki/ junkie

n.someone who has a very strong habit or a deep love for something. While it originally meant someone addicted to drugs, people now use it for hobbies like movies or fitness.

n.a person with a compulsive habit or obsessive interest in a specific activity or substance. Often used figuratively to describe enthusiasts of a particular hobby or medium.


SIMPLE

My brother is a total fitness junkie who hits the gym every day.

CONTEXTUAL

As a self-proclaimed news junkie, she spends her entire morning commute scrolling through international headlines and political blogs.

Usage

Informal and often derogatory when referring to drug addiction; use with caution in professional settings.


From junk (“narcotic drug”) + -ie.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated