noun
Uncommon
opium
OH-pee-uhm
Opium (noun) means an addictive narcotic drug made from the dried sap of the opium poppy, containing morphine and other alkaloids. Example: “Opium was widely used as a painkiller before modern medicine developed safer alternatives.”
noun
1
An addictive narcotic drug made from the dried sap of the opium poppy, containing morphine and other alkaloids.
"Opium was widely used as a painkiller before modern medicine developed safer alternatives."
2
Something that dulls the mind or distracts people from harsh realities, used figuratively.
"Karl Marx famously called religion the "opium of the people.""
How to use opium
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA powerful drug from poppies, or figuratively anything that numbs people to their problems.
Common pairings
opium poppy
opium den
opium trade
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Word forms
- Plural
- opiums, opia
Fill the gap
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_____ was widely used as a painkiller before modern medicine developed safer alternatives.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin opium and ultimately Greek opion, from opos, "juice of a plant."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for opium
See all rhymes for opium →Frequently asked questions
What does “opium” mean?
The word “opium” means an addictive narcotic drug made from the dried sap of the opium poppy, containing morphine and other alkaloids. In plain terms, a powerful drug from poppies, or figuratively anything that numbs people to their problems.
How do you pronounce “opium”?
“Opium” is pronounced OH-pee-uhm (/ˈoʊ.pi.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “opium” in a sentence?
Here is “opium” used in a sentence: “Opium was widely used as a painkiller before modern medicine developed safer alternatives.”
What is another word for “opium”?
Words with a similar meaning to “opium” include aunti/aunti Emma, big O, chandu, Chinese tobacco, dopium and dream gun.
What part of speech is “opium”?
“Opium” is a noun.
Where does the word “opium” come from?
The word “opium” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin opium and ultimately Greek opion, from opos, "juice of a plant.".
Is “opium” a common word?
“Opium” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “opium” have?
“Opium” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an addictive narcotic drug made from the dried sap of the opium poppy, containing morphine and other alkaloids.
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