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krokodil

(slang) The drug desomorphine.

ˈkɹoʊkəˌdɪlCurrent129 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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#1·Apr 27, 2026Global

(slang) The drug desomorphine.

Origin: From the , because of its damaging effects on the skin, possibly related to the chemical name of the precursor α-chlorocodide.. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

Krokodil means: The drug desomorphine.. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. It has drug-related associations; worth a calm conversation about which side of the topic your teen is on. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

krokodil means: The drug desomorphine.. Register: very informal, often derogatory or vulgar. Avoid in formal, business, academic, or polite writing. Even in casual speech the word can offend and is best left out of a learner's active vocabulary. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

Heard in the wild
  • “Agent hijst gedode krokodil uit water, in het dier zijn menselijke resten gevonden”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers

Krokodil means: The drug desomorphine.. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. It has drug-related associations; worth a calm conversation about which side of the topic your teen is on. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.

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