Health / B1

DRUG/drʌɡ/

A drug is a medicine, or an illegal substance that affects the mind or body: a new drug for pain; drug abuse; prescription drugs. Medicine is the safer everyday word for treatment; medication is more clinical. Drug can sound illegal unless the context is medical (the drug was approved). Pharmacy / chemist (UK) is where legal drugs are sold. Drug-free is a common compound.

Meaning

A medicine, or an illegal substance that affects your mind or body.

Examples

• “The doctor prescribed a new drug for the pain.”
• “The drug is only available on prescription.”
• “Campaigns warn young people about illegal drugs.”

Good to know

prescription / illegal drugs. Everyday treatment: medicine. UK shop: chemist. Adjective phrase: drug-free.

Near in meaning

medicine

Topics

New