junk

¹

[ juhngk ]

noun

1. any old or discarded material, as metal, paper, or rags.

   Synonyms: refuse, debris, litter, rubbish

2. anything that is regarded as worthless, meaningless, or contemptible; trash.

   Synonyms: refuse, debris, litter, rubbish

3. old cable or cordage used when untwisted for making gaskets, swabs, oakum, etc.
4. Nautical Slang. salt junk.
5. Baseball Slang. relatively slow, unorthodox pitches that are deceptive to the batter in movement or pace, as knuckleballs or forkballs.

verb (used with object)

1. to cast aside as junk; discard as no longer of use; scrap.

adjective

1. cheap, worthless, unwanted, or trashy.

junk

²

[ juhngk ]

noun

1. a seagoing ship with a traditional Chinese design and used primarily in Chinese waters, having square sails spread by battens, a high stern, and usually a flat bottom.

junk

³

[ juhngk ]

noun

, Slang.

1. narcotics, especially heroin.
2. the external genitals:

   I kicked him in the junk.

junk

¹

/ dʒʌŋk /

noun

1. discarded or secondhand objects, etc, collectively
2. informal.
   1. rubbish generally
   2. nonsense

      the play was absolute junk

3. slang.
   any narcotic drug, esp heroin

verb

1. informal.
   tr to discard as junk; scrap

junk

²

/ dʒʌŋk /

noun

1. a sailing vessel used in Chinese waters and characterized by a very high poop, flat bottom, and square sails supported by battens

Word History and Origins

Origin of junk¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English jonk, junk “(in sailing) old rope or cable”; further origin uncertain

Origin of junk²

First recorded in 1545–55; from Portuguese junco, from Malay jong “large boat, ship,” possibly from dialectal Chinese (Xiamen) chûn; compare Guangdong (Cantonese) dialect syùhn, (Mandarin) Chinese chuán

Origin of junk³

First recorded in 1920–25; perhaps special use of junk ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of junk¹

C15 jonke old useless rope

Origin of junk²

C17: from Portuguese junco, from Javanese jon; related to Dutch jonk

Example Sentences

Among the topics discussed at the hearing was Texas' junk science law, which lets inmates challenge convictions based on later discredited science.

From BBC

After all, we're talking about some discarded space junk from 50 years ago.

From BBC

Out at the born-again lake, Coyote the junk dealer has contributed three kayaks and a canoe for anyone who feels like paddling.

From Los Angeles Times

When you're only eating junk food every day, it affects your body.

From Salon

“You abused your position and you’re a charlatan who used and is still using your prior position in office to peddle a snake oil that’s been proven to be junk time and time again.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clutter
• debris
• rubbish
• rubble
• trash