What does roid mean?
Roid is an informal noun with two distinct uses. Its commonest sense is a steroid, particularly an anabolic steroid used to build muscle or improve athletic performance. In this context, the word is often negative: roids are associated with doping, serious health risks, and the stereotype of aggressive or irrational behavior, summarized by the expression roid rage. In British and Australian slang, roid can also mean an android or humanoid robot. This second sense is usually humorous or dismissive, evoking a mechanical, impersonal figure rather than a humanlike fictional robot generally. Although the two meanings have different origins, their compact form makes the word easy to employ conversationally. It belongs mainly to informal speech and should generally be avoided in formal writing when a precise term such as anabolic steroid or android is more appropriate.
nounAn informal term for a steroid, especially an anabolic steroid. In British and Australian slang, it can also mean an android or humanoid robot.
- An anabolic steroid or, more generally, a steroid taken to enhance muscular development or athletic performance.
- An android or humanoid robot, especially in British and Australian informal usage.
"The athlete tested positive for roids after the competition."
"He stopped taking roids after his doctor warned him about the long-term risks."
"The film portrays the roid as a chrome-faced servant who speaks in flat, mechanical tones."
The usual plural of the informal noun in both senses.
"The laboratory found traces of roids in the blood sample."
From android to anabolic steroid, roid has made a remarkably compact career—though “roid rage” made it notorious.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does roid come from?
The word developed as an informal shortening of android in British and Australian slang. Its use as a shortening of steroid, especially anabolic steroid, arose in connection with bodybuilding and drug culture. Android itself comes through Latin from Greek androeidēs, a term associated with a human-shaped machine and built from elements meaning “man” and “form.”
How roid is actually used
The steroid sense is informal and may carry negative connotations because performance-enhancing steroid use is associated with cheating, health risks, and aggressive behavior. The android sense is chiefly British and Australian slang and is usually humorous or dismissive rather than technical.