pcp: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Technical (Medical/Drug culture), Technical (UK Finance)
Quick answer
What does “pcp” mean?
Phencyclidine, a dissociative hallucinogenic drug originally developed as an anesthetic.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Phencyclidine, a dissociative hallucinogenic drug originally developed as an anesthetic.
A powerful and dangerous illegal drug that causes hallucinations, detachment from reality, and can lead to violent behavior; also used informally as an abbreviation in other contexts (e.g., 'Primary Care Physician', 'Personal Contract Purchase' in UK finance).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'PCP' is strongly associated with car finance (Personal Contract Purchase). In the US, the drug association is primary, with secondary medical use ('Primary Care Physician'). The drug connotation is understood in both regions.
Connotations
UK: Negative (dangerous drug), Neutral/Financial (car purchase plan). US: Strongly negative (dangerous drug), Neutral/Medical (doctor).
Frequency
In general English, frequency is low. In specific domains (UK motor trade, US drug enforcement/medical), frequency within that domain is high.
Grammar
How to Use “pcp” in a Sentence
[subject] + was on/high on PCP[subject] + arrested for PCP possession[subject] + laced [object] with PCPVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pcp” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In UK: 'We offer a PCP plan for the new model.' (Car finance). Rare in general business.
Academic
In pharmacology/psychiatry: 'The study examined the long-term effects of PCP on cognitive function.'
Everyday
Avoided in polite conversation. If used, refers to the drug: 'The news said he was high on PCP.'
Technical
Medical: 'The patient was diagnosed with PCP pneumonia.' (US). Legal/Police: 'Suspect was found in possession of PCP.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pcp”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pcp”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pcp”
- Using 'PCP' in formal writing without first defining it (as it's an initialism).
- Assuming the listener will understand the intended meaning (drug, doctor, or car plan) without clear context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, phencyclidine (PCP) is an illegal Schedule II controlled substance in the United States and a Class A drug in the United Kingdom due to its high potential for abuse and severe psychological harm.
In US medicine, PCP commonly stands for 'Primary Care Physician' (your regular doctor) or 'Pneumocystis Pneumonia', a serious lung infection. The context makes the meaning clear.
'Angel dust' is a street name for PCP. The name is believed to be ironic, contrasting the heavenly connotation of 'angel' with the dangerous, 'dust'-like powdered form of the drug that causes a destructive high.
Rarely. In the context of a UK Personal Contract Purchase, it is a neutral financial product. However, the overwhelming association with a dangerous drug gives the abbreviation a strongly negative connotation in most other contexts.
Phencyclidine, a dissociative hallucinogenic drug originally developed as an anesthetic.
Pcp is usually informal, technical (medical/drug culture), technical (uk finance) in register.
Pcp: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpiː.siːˈpiː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpi.siˈpi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[He's] on PCP (meaning behaving irrationally/aggressively)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
**P**owerful **C**hemical causing **P**sychosis.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGER IS A CHEMICAL/DEMON (angel dust, devil's drug).
Practice
Quiz
In a UK car dealership, 'PCP' most likely refers to: