The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word USER
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
U
S
E
R
More clues leading to the result USER
- Employer’s bum steers, every so often
- Junkie husband absent from show
- Employer admitted to serious error
- Employer held back by chores, unfortunately
- One who employs asses regularly in ancient city
- Escort booting out husband who's on drugs
- Drug addict heads for urban site expecting rendezvous
- Person who employs American head of state
- Addict‘s escort has no heroin
- One exploits deception, heading to base
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Junkie" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case junkie = user.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does USER mean?
USER noun- One who uses or makes use of something, a consumer/client or an express or implied licensee (free user) or a trespasser.
- A person who uses drugs, especially illegal drugs.
- A person who uses a computer or a computing network, especially a person who has received a user account.
- An exploiter, an abuser (a person who "uses" people, that is treats and regards people unfairly, selfishly and/or unethically).
- In land law, meaning either 1. or 2. above or use. Usually in singular form to mean use wherever there is assiduous re-use of precedents and aloof textbooks verbatim. Modern law, guarded against ambiguity, widely disfavors the term.