junk
juhngk
Junk (noun) means Old or unwanted items regarded as clutter or of little value. Example: “The attic was crammed with junk, from broken lamps to old magazines.”
noun
1
Old or unwanted items regarded as clutter or of little value.
"The attic was crammed with junk, from broken lamps to old magazines."
"The garage is full of junk we should have thrown out years ago."
"She sold her old junk at a yard sale."
2
Food that is unhealthy but appealing, typically high in fat, sugar, or salt.
"The vending machine only sells junk like crisps and sweets."
"Try not to fill the children up on junk before dinner."
"He's been eating too much junk food since he moved out."
verb
1
To throw something away as worthless.
"I finally junked my cracked phone and bought a new one."
"The council plans to junk the old bus timetable entirely."
"They junked the old computer instead of repairing it."
How to use junk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStuff that's cluttered, worthless, or unhealthy — or, as a verb, to throw something out.
Common pairings
junk food
junk mail
junk drawer
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Word forms
- Plural
- junks
- Third person singular
- junks
- Past tense
- junked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The attic was crammed with _____, from broken lamps to old magazines.
Etymology
Originally a sailor's word for old bits of rope and cable salvaged for reuse; the meaning later widened to any discarded, low-value stuff.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for junk
See all rhymes for junk →Frequently asked questions
What does “junk” mean?
The word “junk” means old or unwanted items regarded as clutter or of little value. In plain terms, stuff that's cluttered, worthless, or unhealthy — or, as a verb, to throw something out.
How do you pronounce “junk”?
“Junk” is pronounced juhngk (/d͡ʒʌŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “junk” in a sentence?
Here is “junk” used in a sentence: “The garage is full of junk we should have thrown out years ago.”
What is another word for “junk”?
Words with a similar meaning to “junk” include 86, can, cast aside, cast off, cast away and get rid of.
What part of speech is “junk”?
Depending on how it is used, “junk” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “junk” a common word?
“Junk” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “junk” have?
“Junk” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: old or unwanted items regarded as clutter or of little value.
What is the difference between junk and trash?
Trash — or rubbish in British English — is what you have actually thrown away or intend to bin, while junk is old or unwanted stuff you are still keeping even though it has little value, like the contents of a garage or a junk drawer. Junk becomes trash once you finally throw it out.
Why is unhealthy food called junk food?
Junk food treats such food as the dietary equivalent of junk: appealing but of little real value. The label covers foods that are unhealthy but tempting, typically high in fat, sugar, or salt, such as crisps, sweets, and much fast food.
What is the difference between junk and clutter?
Clutter is about arrangement — things lying about untidily, whatever their value — while junk is about worth: old or unwanted items of little value. A tidy shelf can still hold junk, and valuable possessions can still create clutter.
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