drugs
drugs — noun
1. a substance, made by nature or in a laboratory, that doctors give to people to t
a substance, made by nature or in a laboratory, that doctors give to people to treat or prevent a disease or medical condition
The doctor prescribed a new drug to help control Mei's high blood pressure.
collocation: prescribe a drug
Scientists are testing a drug that could slow the growth of lung cancer cells.
collocation: test a drug
Many common drugs, such as aspirin, were originally developed from plants.
This drug must be taken with food to avoid stomach irritation.
The pharmacist explained how often the drug should be taken each day.
- medication
more formal; often used for prescription treatments
- medicine
everyday term; broader, includes non-chemical remedies
- remedy
less common; can refer to a treatment for a specific symptom
- poison
a substance that harms or kills rather than heals
文法句型
take/prescribe/use + a drug
a drug + for + [condition]
用法筆記
Often appears with verbs like 'prescribe', 'take', 'test', 'develop'. In medical contexts, 'medication' or 'medicine' may be preferred to avoid confusion with the illegal-substance sense.
常見錯誤
2. a chemical substance, often illegal, that people take to feel enjoyment, to work
a chemical substance, often illegal, that people take to feel enjoyment, to work or perform better in sport, or because they have become dependent on it
Police arrested two people for selling illegal drugs near the playground.
collocation: sell illegal drugs
The health campaign warns teenagers about the dangers of taking drugs.
collocation: take drugs
After years of using drugs, Amir finally joined a rehabilitation program.
Some cyclists use performance-enhancing drugs to gain an unfair advantage.
Chen's parents were devastated when they discovered he was using drugs.
- narcotics
formal/legal term; often used by police or in law
- illegal substances
broader; includes non-narcotic drugs like steroids
- controlled substances
legal term; substances regulated by law regardless of illegality
文法句型
take/use/do + drugs
illegal/recreational + drugs
be on + drugs
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural form ('drugs') when referring to illegal or recreational substances. Common with verbs: 'take', 'use', 'sell', 'deal'. Frequently modified by adjectives like 'illegal', 'recreational', 'hard', 'soft'.
常見錯誤
3. an activity or experience that someone enjoys so much that they cannot or do not
an activity or experience that someone enjoys so much that they cannot or do not want to stop doing it
For retired teacher Elena, gardening became a drug she could not give up.
figurative: became a drug
The excitement of skydiving was like a drug for the young adventurers.
comparative: like a drug
Constant attention on social media can become a drug for people seeking approval.
Running marathons became a drug for Olu after he completed his first race.
For some retirees, online shopping becomes a drug they turn to when feeling lonely.
文法句型
like a drug
become a drug
be a drug (to/for someone)
用法筆記
Used figuratively — not about actual chemicals. Commonly appears in comparisons ('like a drug') or as a description of compulsive behaviour ('is a drug for'). Subject is usually a pleasurable but potentially harmful activity.
常見錯誤
drugs — verb
1. to put a person or an animal into a sleepy or unconscious state, or to change th
to put a person or an animal into a sleepy or unconscious state, or to change their normal behaviour, by giving them a chemical substance
The dentist drugged the patient before removing her wisdom tooth.
medical context: drug a patient before procedure
Thieves drugged the security guard's drink and stole the office safe.
crime context: drug someone's drink
The veterinarian drugged the injured lion before operating on its paw.
Kidnappers drugged their victim to keep him quiet during the journey.
Before the surgery, the anesthesiologist drugged the woman so she would feel no pain.
- sedate
medical term; implies a calming effect rather than unconsciousness
- anesthetize
medical; specifically means to remove sensation
- dope
informal; sometimes used for giving drugs to animals
文法句型
drug + [person/animal]
drug + [drink/food]
be drugged
用法筆記
Object can be a person, an animal, or a drink/food (the thing containing the drug). Frequently appears in crime reporting and medical narratives. The passive form ('he was drugged') is common.
常見錯誤
2. to regularly use illegal or harmful chemical substances for pleasure or because
to regularly use illegal or harmful chemical substances for pleasure or because of addiction, not for medical reasons
Wei started drugging at parties but soon found he could not stop.
intransitive: start drugging
The documentary follows teenagers who began drugging as early as fourteen.
After losing his job, Dmitri began drugging heavily to escape his problems.
Fatima refused to attend parties where she knew people would be heavily drugging.
The guitarist's career ended because he spent too much time drugging.
- use drugs
more neutral; common in both formal and informal contexts
- do drugs
informal, especially in American English
- abuse drugs
implies heavy or harmful usage
文法句型
start drugging
be drugging
drug heavily
用法筆記
Intransitive — no direct object. More common in continuous verb forms ('has been drugging', 'started drugging'). Informal; more formal alternatives include 'abuse drugs' or 'use drugs recreationally'.