narc

Everyday

1. (slang, US) A police officer who works to stop illegal drugs. tree →
2. (slang) A person who tells on others to a teacher, parent or the police; a snitch or tell-tale. tree →
3. (slang) To tell on someone. tree →
4. (slang) Short for «narcissist», a very selfish, vain person. tree →

In the lessons

This word is street and playground slang, not used in school writing. Children may hear «don't be a narc» meaning «don't tell the teacher». In US crime films a «narc» is a drug police officer. It tells the reader the speaker sees someone as disloyal or a spy.

Examples

• «Don't be a narc and tell Miss,» said Jayden. tree →
• In the film, the narc pretended to be a student. tree →
• He narced on us about the broken window. tree →
• Nobody likes a narc, but telling an adult about danger is the right thing to do. tree →
• She called her ex a narc because he only cared about himself. tree →
• The older boys thought the new kid was a narc. tree →

Note

Slang; also spelled «nark» in the UK (an old word for a police informer, and «narky» in the UK means grumpy). Safety point: telling a trusted adult when someone is hurt or in danger is not «being a narc»; it is being responsible. Comes from «narcotics».