Meaning & use
amphetamines
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“amphetamines” is a form of “amphetamine”.
Meanings
nounpluralmedical
A group of strong drugs that make you feel awake and active, used legally for some medical conditions but often taken illegally.
Grammar: Plural noun; the singular 'amphetamine' refers to one type or one dose.
Patterns
- be on amphetamines
- take amphetamines
- be addicted to amphetamines
The doctor explained that amphetamines can help with certain sleep disorders.
Police found amphetamines in the car during the search.
Long-term use of amphetamines can cause serious health problems.
nouncountableinformal
A drug of this type, especially one used illegally to stay awake or to get high.
Grammar: Countable when talking about a specific drug or dose: 'an amphetamine'.
Patterns
- an amphetamine
- use amphetamines
He was arrested for selling amphetamines.
Some students misuse amphetamines to study all night.
Word forms
| singular | amphetamine |
|---|
Common combinations
- prescribe amphetamines
- Doctors rarely prescribe amphetamines for weight loss now.
- abuse amphetamines
- The clinic treats people who abuse amphetamines.
- amphetamine use
- Amphetamine use among young adults has risen.
- amphetamine addiction
- She sought help for her amphetamine addiction.
Synonyms and how they differ
- stimulants
- A wider category that includes amphetamines but also caffeine and other drugs.
- speed
- Informal and often disapproving slang for amphetamines; avoid in formal writing.
Word family
- amphetamine noun
- The singular form, referring to one such drug or type.
Practice
Choose the sentence that uses 'amphetamines' correctly.
Choose one answer.
Amphetamines are stimulants, so they make people feel awake and active. Option 0 is wrong because they are not used to help sleep; option 1 is wrong because they do not make people sleepy; option 3 is wrong because they are not sold in grocery stores.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “amphetamines”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.