noun phrase · neutral

junk food

/ˈdʒʌŋk fuːd/JUNK FOOD

Band 4-5speakingtask2

food that is low in nutritional value and high in fat, sugar, or salt

Examples

Many people regret eating too much junk food when they gain weight.

Children are often tempted by colourful packaging of junk food.

Schools are trying to reduce the amount of junk food available on campus.

Band 8 sentence

Public health campaigns that limit junk food advertising to children can play a significant role in reducing childhood obesity.

Collocations

  • avoid junk food
  • junk food advertising

Word family

junk noun / adjectivejunkie noun (informal)

Common mistakes

fast foodjunk food

a junk foodjunk food

Say it for a higher band

5unhealthy food6fast food7+junk food

Synonyms

unhealthy food

fast food

Easily confused

fast food

Many people eat fast food because it's cheap and convenient, but not all fast food is necessarily junk food.

Related words

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In Food & Cooking

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