Disposable

/dɪsˈpoʊ.zə.bəl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

An item that is intended to be used once and then discarded.

The hospital provided disposable masks to ensure safety.

adjective

Designed to be used once and then thrown away.

Many restaurants use disposable utensils to simplify cleanup.

Available for use; not required for any specific purpose or project.

She had some disposable income that she wanted to invest in a vacation.

From dispose + -able

disposable income

Income remaining after taxes and necessities that can be spent or saved.

disposable culture

A societal tendency toward quick consumption and disposal of items.

disposable society

A term used to describe a culture or society that emphasizes the use of disposable products.

dispose

To get rid of something or to throw something away.

disposal

The action or process of throwing away or getting rid of something.

Throwaway lifestyle

He lives in a throwaway lifestyle, always buying the cheapest and discarding it.

Single-use

These single-use items are all over the place at parties.