What does narc mean?
In informal, chiefly North American English, “narc” usually means a police officer or other law-enforcement agent. The term is often derogatory and can suggest that the person is intrusive, aggressive, or excessively suspicious of ordinary people. As a verb, “narc” means to inform on someone, especially by telling the police or another authority about that person’s actions. This verbal use carries a strong sense of betrayal, because the person being informed on may be a friend, colleague, or fellow member of a group. The word has a distinctive history: it developed as an abbreviation associated with narcotics enforcement and ultimately connects with the Greek root for numbness or stupor. In political discourse, “narc” is frequently applied to agents of government surveillance and may function as a provocative label rather than a neutral description.
An informal and often derogatory term for a police officer or other law-enforcement agent.
"The protesters accused the narc of following them."
Commonly used in North American slang and in political language attacking police or government surveillance.
To inform on someone, especially by reporting information to the police or another authority.
"He was afraid his former boss would narc on him."
Informal and chiefly North American; often implies betrayal of an associate.
The regular plural is used in the same informal and often derogatory sense as the singular.
"The protesters demanded that the narcs withdraw from the avenue."
The word “narc” began as police slang and later became a sharply derogatory political label: “narc” can mean a cop, an informant, or an intrusive enforcer of authority.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does narc come from?
“Narc” emerged in early twentieth-century American English as a shortening of “narcotics agent,” a term associated with law-enforcement personnel working against illegal drugs. It is related to “narcotic,” which comes through Latin from Greek narkōtikos, ultimately deriving from narkē, meaning numbness or stupor. The verb meaning “inform on someone” developed from the slang use of the noun and carries the implication of betraying an associate to the authorities.
How narc is actually used
Narc is strongly informal and commonly derogatory. Its use as a verb is especially associated with American slang and can imply informing on friends, colleagues, or other associates. In political and activist contexts, “narc” is often used as an accusation against government agents or surveillance.
Easily confused with narc
A narc is a police officer or informant, whereas a narcotic is a drug that produces numbness, stupor, or altered consciousness.
A narc primarily means a police officer, while nark chiefly means to irritate or annoy in informal British and American English.