drug
gb/dɹˈʌɡ/ us/dɹˈʌɡ/
A2
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
A medicine or chemical substance
A substance used as medicine or to change how the body works.
Usage pattern:
[someone] takes [a drug]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'drug' with 'medicine'. 'Drug' can mean both legal medicines and illegal substances.
Synonyms
medicine (Usually refers specifically to substances for treating illness; 'drug' can be broader.)
Antonyms
placebo (A substance with no active medical effect, often used in testing drugs.)
Collocations
prescription drug
|illegal drug
|drug treatment
|drug use
|drug addiction
Themes
health
|medicine
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The doctor prescribed a new drug for her condition.
- Some people are allergic to certain drugs.
- The company is testing a new cancer drug.
Learner examples
- I take a drug for my headache.
- This drug helps me sleep.
- The doctor gave me a drug for my cold.
Noun
B1
entity
2
An illegal addictive substance
A substance that people take for pleasure, which is illegal and can be harmful.
Usage pattern:
[someone] uses [a drug]
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'drug' always means illegal substances; context determines meaning.
Synonyms
narcotic (Often used in legal or police contexts; more formal.)
Antonyms
legal substance (A substance permitted by law for use.)
Collocations
illegal drug
|recreational drug
|drug abuse
|drug trafficking
Themes
crime
|health
|society
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He was arrested for possessing illegal drugs.
- Drug abuse is a major social problem.
- The police found drugs hidden in the car.
Learner examples
- He took an illegal drug.
- Drugs can hurt your health.
- The police found drugs in the bag.
Verb
B2
action
3
Give someone a drug secretly
To put a drug in someone's food or drink without them knowing, to make them sleepy or weak.
Usage pattern:
[someone] drugs [someone/something]
Synonyms
sedate (Usually refers to medically calming someone, not secretly or illegally.)
Antonyms
revive (To bring someone back to consciousness or alertness.)
Collocations
drug someone's drink
|drug and rob
Themes
crime
|health
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The thieves drugged the guard before robbing the store.
- She claimed someone had drugged her during the party.
- He was accused of drugging his victims.
Learner examples
- The man drugged the guard.
- Someone drugged her drink.
- They drugged him and took his money.
Grammar
Dictionary form
drug
IPA
GB/dɹˈʌɡ/
US/dɹˈʌɡ/
Syllables & stress
drug (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (drug)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: drug
- Plural: drugs
Verb
- Base: drug
- 3rd Person Singular: drugs
- Present Participle: drugging
- Past: drugged
Word family
Forms
drugs
noun
drugging
verb
drugged
verb
Related words
drugstore
noun B1
druggist
noun
Negative and opposite forms
drug-free
adjective
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: drugging Verb
- Irregular past: drugged Verb
Expressions
drug abuse
1/dɹˈʌɡ əbjˈus/
fixed phrase
Harmful or illegal use of drugs
Using drugs in a way that is harmful or against the law.
Examples
- Drug abuse can lead to serious health problems.
- The campaign aims to reduce drug abuse among teenagers.
drug trafficking
1/dɹˈʌɡ tɹˈæfɪkɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Illegal trading of drugs
The buying and selling of illegal drugs.
Examples
- He was arrested for drug trafficking across borders.
- Drug trafficking is a major source of income for criminal gangs.
on drugs
1/ˈɔn dɹˈʌɡz/
fixed phrase
informal
Under the influence of drugs
Having taken drugs that affect your mind or body.
Examples
- He sounded like he was on drugs.
- The driver was found to be on drugs during the accident.
war on drugs
1/wˈɔɹ ˈɔn dɹˈʌɡz/
fixed phrase
Government campaign against illegal drugs
Government efforts to stop the making, selling, and use of illegal drugs.
Examples
- The war on drugs has been going on for decades.
- Many argue that the war on drugs has failed.