Waste

/weɪst/

Meaning & Definition

noun

Material that is not wanted; the unusable remains or byproducts of something.

The factory produces a lot of waste that needs to be recycled.

An act of using something carelessly or extravagantly.

It is a waste of time to argue about trivial matters.

The deterioration of physical or mental condition; decline in health or vigor.

The patient's illness led to significant muscle waste.

verb

To use something carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose.

Don't waste your money on unnecessary items.

To spend or use time, energy, or resources thoughtlessly.

He wasted hours playing video games instead of studying.

To cause to become diminished, depleted, or desolate.

The famine wasted the population of the region.

adjective

Of or relating to material that is discarded or not useful.

They installed a waste storage facility near the plant.

In a state of decline or deterioration.

The abandoned building was a waste structure, falling apart.

Middle English, from Old French 'wast', from Latin 'vastare' (to lay waste, ravage).

waste time

To spend time on unproductive or trivial activities.

waste of space

A person or thing that is considered worthless.

waste not, want not

If you do not waste things, you will have what you need.

wasteful

Characterized by the expenditure of resources, typically in a careless manner.

wasteland

An unused area of land that is barren or desolate.

wastage

The action or process of losing something by neglect or waste.

To act foolishly or recklessly.

She's just wasting her life away partying every night.

A person who is unproductive or lazy.

He's such a waste, he never contributes anything.