How to pronounce junk
Say it like JUHNGK. Junk is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- JUHNGK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Junk pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- JUHNGKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of junk
American and British speakers say junk in essentially the same way: /dʒʌŋk/ in the US and /dʒʌŋk/ in the UK.
British respelling: JUHNGK.
What does junk mean?
- the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up
- any of various Chinese boats with a high poop and lugsails
- dispose of (something useless or old)“trash these old chairs”“junk an old car”
Where does junk come from?
From earlier meaning "old refuse from boats and ships", from Middle English junk, jounke, jonk, joynk (“an old cable or rope”, nautical term), sometimes cut into bits and used as caulking; of uncertain origin; perhaps related to join, joint, juncture.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with junk
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of junk.
Questions about saying junk
How do you pronounce junk?
Say JUHNGK. The American pronunciation is /dʒʌŋk/. In British English it is /dʒʌŋk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in junk?
Junk is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: JUHNGK.
Do Americans and Brits say junk the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dʒʌŋk/ and the British form is /dʒʌŋk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.