drug
drug — noun
1. A substance, whether natural or created in a laboratory, that is used to treat o
A substance, whether natural or created in a laboratory, that is used to treat or prevent a medical condition. Doctors prescribe drugs, and they can also be bought from a pharmacy for minor illnesses.
The doctor prescribed a new drug to lower Eleni's blood pressure.
collocation: prescribe a drug / drug for [condition]
This drug is most effective when taken right after a meal.
passive: be taken + time specification
Many common drugs, such as aspirin, can be bought without a prescription.
The hospital pharmacy keeps a record of every drug it supplies to patients.
- medicine
more general, often used for anything taken to treat illness; drug emphasises the chemical composition
- medication
more formal, commonly used by healthcare professionals; implies a prescribed treatment plan
- remedy
often suggests a natural or traditional treatment rather than a laboratory-made chemical
- placebo
a substance with no active medical ingredients, used in clinical trials for comparison
文法句型
[countable] drug
drug for [illness]
用法筆記
In this sense, drug is neutral and positive — it refers to a treatment for illness. Distinguish from sense 2 (RECREATIONAL), where drugs are taken for pleasure and may be illegal. The context of doctors, prescriptions, and pharmacies tells you which sense is intended.
常見錯誤
2. A substance that people take for pleasure, to change how they feel mentally, to
A substance that people take for pleasure, to change how they feel mentally, to do better at a sport or activity, or because they have become dependent on it. Many such drugs are illegal, and using them can be harmful to health and society.
The police arrested Mert for selling drugs outside the school gates.
collocation: sell drugs
Some athletes turn to performance-enhancing drugs to gain an unfair advantage.
compound noun: performance-enhancing drugs
Jiwoo's brother started using drugs in high school, and soon he could not stop.
Sirin never accepted a drink from a stranger — it might contain drugs.
文法句型
[countable, usually plural] drugs
用法筆記
In this sense, drugs are almost always discussed in the context of addiction, crime, or health dangers. When people say 'drug problem' or 'drug addiction' without further context, they usually mean sense 2 rather than sense 1 (MEDICINE). Plural form is far more common than singular in this sense.
常見錯誤
3. An activity or habit that someone enjoys so much that they spend almost all thei
An activity or habit that someone enjoys so much that they spend almost all their time or money on it, and find it very difficult to stop.
Video games have become a drug for Asher — he plays for ten hours every day.
figurative: be a drug for [someone]
Social media has become a drug for Yuki — she scrolls for hours and cannot stop.
figurative: be a drug for [someone]
The gym was a drug for Folake, who would not quit despite her doctor's warning.
Shopping had become a drug for Wren, who kept buying things she did not need.
文法句型
[singular] be a drug for [person]
用法筆記
This is a figurative, informal sense. It is typically used in the pattern 'something is a drug for someone'. The activity is compared to an addictive substance. Common in journalism and casual conversation, but avoid in formal writing.
常見錯誤
drug — verb
1. To make a person or an animal sleepy, unconscious, or unusually calm by giving t
To make a person or an animal sleepy, unconscious, or unusually calm by giving them a chemical substance, often without their knowledge. In medical settings, it can also mean giving a sedative before a procedure.
The kidnappers drugged Vivek and left him tied up in a locked room.
active: drug + person (criminal context)
The cat was drugged before the operation so the vet could work safely.
passive: be drugged (medical context)
Thieves drugged the guard's drink and stole the paintings during the night.
Eleni felt dizzy and realised someone must have drugged her water bottle.
- sedate
medical term; implies a controlled, professional context rather than criminal intent
- anaesthetise
more specific; means to make someone unconscious, usually for surgery
- dope
informal; often used for doping in sports or giving drugs to animals
文法句型
drug [person/animal]
be drugged
drug [drink/food]
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice ('was drugged') and in crime reporting. In medical contexts, the verb is often replaced by 'sedate' or 'give an anaesthetic', though 'drug' is still used informally. The object can be a person, an animal, or food/drink.
常見錯誤
2. To regularly take illegal or recreational substances for pleasure or to feel dif
To regularly take illegal or recreational substances for pleasure or to feel different, especially in a way that causes dependency.
Vinícius started drugging at parties, but soon he was using every weekend.
start drugging (informal intransitive)
The singer admitted that she had been drugging heavily during her twenties.
adverb: drug heavily
Their mother begged them to stop drugging before they destroyed their health.
Christopher watched his friends drift away one by one as he sank deeper into drugging.
- do drugs
more common in everyday speech; less stigmatising than 'drug' as a verb
- use drugs
more neutral; commonly found in clinical and journalistic writing
- abuse drugs
stronger; implies harmful or excessive use
文法句型
drug (intransitive)
start drugging
用法筆記
This is an informal, intransitive use. It is less common than the phrasal alternative 'do drugs' or 'take drugs'. In the continuous form ('drugging'), it often implies a serious or habitual problem. Avoid in formal writing.