# poppers

> English word · Noun · frequency rank #45,595

## Definitions
1. Drugs of the alkyl nitrate class used recreationally as a sexual stimulant, especially among gay men.

## Etymology
Amyl nitrites were originally sold in small glass ampoules wrapped in cloth. Recreational users would crush or "pop" these vials between their fingers to release their vapours, which is thought to be the origin of the slang term.

## Easily confused with
- **Powers** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/poppers-vs-powers)
- **powders** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/poppers-vs-powders)
- **poppies** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/poppers-vs-poppies)
- **potters** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/poppers-vs-potters)
- **papers** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/papers-vs-poppers)
- **pepper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pepper-vs-poppers)
- **popper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/popper-vs-poppers)
- **pooper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pooper-vs-poppers)
- **peppers** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peppers-vs-poppers)

## Common misspellings (9)
`opppers`, `popeprs`, `popers`, `popperrs`, `popperss`, `poppesr`, `poppres`, `ppopers`, `ppoppers`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/poppers