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pothead

(slang, derogatory, obsolete) A stupid individual; a fool.

ˈpɑt͡ʃədDocumented since 1950s1950sBoomerhistorical60 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
?? Drugs & Substances
3 definitions
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Etymology timeline

Born ~1957 · no dated citations yet
1957BornToday, 2026

Definitions

#1·Apr 27, 2026

(slang, derogatory, obsolete) A stupid individual; a fool.

That pothead Shane has a nasty bong.
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(slang, derogatory) A person who smokes cannabis frequently, or to excess.

That pothead Shane has a nasty bong.
Origin: From . First sense appears c. 1957 in the writings of Jack Gelber. Third sense appears c. 1639. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

"pothead" means: A person who smokes cannabis frequently, or to excess.. There is a drug-related reference, so this is one worth noticing without overreacting. Many teens encounter such vocabulary through music, film and friends without any direct involvement. A neutral, curious conversation about where they heard the term and what they understand by it is far more useful than a confrontation. Watch for repeated context, not a single word.

For ESL learners

"pothead" means: A person who smokes cannabis frequently, or to excess.. Register: informal slang, fine in casual conversation, texting and social media but not in academic essays, business writing or formal speech. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.

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#3·Apr 27, 2026

(chiefly, Canada) An electric motor's terminal connection or wiring box.

That pothead Shane has a nasty bong.
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??About Drugs & Substances slang

Slang for cannabis, opioids, stimulants, psychedelics, alcohol, prescription drugs, and rave/club culture.

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