noun
drug
DRUHG
noun
1
A substance taken for its effect on the body or mind, whether medicinal or intoxicating.
"The doctor prescribed a new drug to manage his blood pressure."
"Police seized a large quantity of illegal drugs at the border."
verb
1
To secretly give someone an intoxicating or sedating substance.
"She suspected someone had drugged her drink at the party."
How to Use Drug
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA chemical substance used as medicine, or, in illegal use, for its intoxicating effect.
Common pairings
prescription drug
illegal drugs
drug someone's drink
Word Forms
drugged past tense, drugs plural, drugs singular
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The doctor prescribed a new _____ to manage his blood pressure.
Etymology
From Middle French drogue, originally referring to dried herbs and goods kept in barrels — the word for "dry" got mistakenly applied to what was stored inside.