JUNK - Definition & Meaning for Kids
Meaning 1
Part of speech: Noun
any of various Chinese boats with a high poop and lugsails
Categories: Boat
📖 Fun Facts About Junk
- • Junk means something not needed anymore — but recycling junk can turn it into something new and useful.
Synonyms
Debris, Junk, Dust, Scrap, Trash
🌱 Word Origin (Etymology)
The word "junk" comes from Chinese 船. It started in Old Javanese jong. Then it appeared in Javanese djong. Later, people used it in Arabic جُنْك, which was borrowed from Dutch jonk, which was borrowed from Portuguese junco. After that, it was Latin iuncus. Over time, it became Old French jonc. Finally, it reached Middle English junke.
🔗 Related Words
junco – A related word in the same word family.
juncus – A related word in the same word family.
🧩 Fun Fact
This word traveled through multiple civilizations—each culture shaped its meaning slightly!