hop head

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableslangoffensive

   A slang term for a person who uses a lot of drugs, especially heroin.

   Grammar: Countable: a hop head, two hop heads. It is a strongly negative label.

   Patterns

   • call someone a hop head

   The old film uses "hop head" as a harsh insult for a drug user.

   In the novel, the character is unfairly dismissed as a hop head by his neighbors.

   You should avoid the term hop head; it is dated slang and deeply insulting.

2. 2nouncountableslanginformalhumorous

   A slang term for someone who is extremely enthusiastic about beer or hops.

   Grammar: Countable and playful here; often used by craft-beer fans about themselves.

   Patterns

   • a real hop head

   My brother is a total hop head who plans trips around breweries.

   As a hop head, she always orders the most bitter IPA on the menu.

Word forms

Common combinations

a total hop head

He's a total hop head when it comes to bitter beers.

call someone a hop head

It is offensive to call someone a hop head.

hop head slang

The dictionary marks hop head as dated slang.

Synonyms and how they differ

addict

A neutral, clinical word for someone dependent on a substance; hop head is slang and insulting.

junkie

Also slang and offensive for a heroin user; hop head is older and less common today.

beer enthusiast

A neutral, positive term for someone who loves beer; hop head is playful slang.

Word family

hop noun

The flower used to flavor beer; also an old slang word for opium.

hophead noun

A one-word spelling of the same slang term.

Commonly confused: hop head or hophead?

Practice

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