First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1junk
noun \ˈjəŋk\
Definition of JUNK
1
: pieces of old cable or cordage used especially to make gaskets, mats, swabs, or oakum
2
4
5
a : baseball pitches that break or are off-speed (as curveballs or changeups) b slang : male genitalia
— junky \ˈjəŋ-kē\ adjective
Origin of JUNK
Middle English jonke
2junk
verb
: to get rid of (something) because it is worthless, damaged, etc.
Full Definition of JUNK
transitive verb
: to get rid of as worthless : scrap
See junk defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of JUNK
1916
Related to JUNK
- Synonyms
- cashier, cast (off), chuck, deep-six, ditch, dump, eighty-six (or 86), exorcise (also exorcize), fling (off or away), jettison, discard, lay by, lose, pitch, reject, scrap, shed, shuck (off), slough (off) also sluff (off), throw away, throw out, toss, unload
Synonym Discussion of JUNK
discard, cast, shed, slough, scrap, junk mean to get rid of. discard implies the letting go or throwing away of something that has become useless or superfluous though often not intrinsically valueless <discard old clothes>. cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation <cast off her friends>. shed and slough imply a throwing off of something both useless and encumbering and often suggest a consequent renewal of vitality or luster <shed a bad habit> <finally sloughed off the depression>. scrap and junk imply throwing away or breaking up as worthless in existent form <scrap all the old ways> <would junk our educational system>.
3junk
noun
Definition of JUNK
: any of various ships of Chinese waters with bluff lines, a high poop and overhanging stem, little or no keel, high pole masts, and a deep rudder
Origin of JUNK
Portuguese junco, from Javanese joṅ
First Known Use: 1609
JUNK[1] Defined for Kids
1junk
noun \ˈjəŋk\
Definition of JUNK for Kids
1
: things that have been thrown away or are of little value or use
2
: a poorly made product
3
: something of little meaning, worth, or significance <There's nothing but junk on TV tonight.>
2junk
verb
junkedjunk·ing
Definition of JUNK for Kids
: to get rid of as worthless : scrap <I'm junking this car.>
3junk
noun
Definition of JUNK for Kids
: an Asian sailing boat that is high in the front
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