angel dust: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, slang
Quick answer
What does “angel dust” mean?
An informal, slang term for the powerful, dissociative hallucinogenic drug phencyclidine (PCP).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An informal, slang term for the powerful, dissociative hallucinogenic drug phencyclidine (PCP).
The term is often used metaphorically or in popular culture to refer to something extremely intense, chaotic, or disorienting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is likely more prevalent in American English due to its origin in U.S. drug culture.
Connotations
Strongly negative, associated with severe drug abuse, violence, and psychosis.
Frequency
Very low frequency in formal or polite conversation; appears primarily in contexts discussing drug abuse, crime, or counterculture.
Grammar
How to Use “angel dust” in a Sentence
The cannabis was laced with angel dust.He was arrested for selling angel dust.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “angel dust” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The joint was allegedly angel-dusted.
- He was caught angel-dusting the cigarettes.
American English
- They suspected the weed was angel-dusted.
- Dealers sometimes angel-dust low-grade marijuana.
adjective
British English
- He had an angel-dust crazed look in his eyes.
- The angel-dust incident was all over the news.
American English
- They were dealing with an angel-dust freakout.
- The report mentioned angel-dust contamination.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in specific fields like criminology, psychology, or pharmacology.
Everyday
Extremely rare in polite conversation; used as a warning or in discussions of dangerous behavior.
Technical
The technical term is 'phencyclidine' or 'PCP'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “angel dust”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “angel dust”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing it with other drugs like 'cocaine' or 'LSD'.
- Thinking it has a positive connotation because of the word 'angel'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is low-frequency slang. The standard terms are 'PCP' or 'phencyclidine'.
No, it has exclusively negative connotations related to dangerous drug abuse.
Its literal translation or the word 'angel' might misleadingly suggest something harmless or positive.
Only if you are directly quoting a source or analyzing slang; otherwise, use the formal term 'PCP' or 'phencyclidine'.
An informal, slang term for the powerful, dissociative hallucinogenic drug phencyclidine (PCP).
Angel dust is usually informal, slang in register.
Angel dust: in British English it is pronounced /ˈeɪn.dʒəl ˌdʌst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈeɪn.dʒəl ˌdʌst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's off his head on angel dust.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an angel covered in glittering, poisonous dust that causes them to fall violently to earth.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE AS DECEPTIVELY PURE (The 'angel' masks the 'dust's' destructive nature).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'angel dust' be MOST appropriately used?