What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
drug
Example
The doctor prescribed a drug to help with my allergies. [drug: noun]
Example
Drug abuse can have serious consequences on one's health. [drug: noun]
Example
The athlete was caught using performance-enhancing drugs. [drugs: plural noun]
narcotic
Example
The patient was given a narcotic to manage their post-surgery pain. [narcotic: noun]
Example
Narcotics are highly regulated and can only be obtained with a prescription. [narcotics: plural noun]
Example
The suspect was found in possession of various narcotics during the police raid. [narcotics: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Drug is a more commonly used term than narcotic in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and can refer to both legal and illegal substances. Narcotic is more commonly used in medical or legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between drug and narcotic?
Narcotic is a more formal term than drug, as it is often used in medical or legal contexts and has a specific definition and legal status. Drug is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
