litter

[ˈlɪtər]

litter Definition

  • 1waste material or rubbish, especially that which is scattered in public places
  • 2a group of animals born to an animal at one time
  • 3a stretcher for carrying a sick or injured person

Using litter: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "litter" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    Please don't litter the park with your trash.

  • Example

    The beach was covered in litter after the party.

  • Example

    The cat had a litter of five kittens.

  • Example

    The ambulance arrived with a litter to carry the injured man.

litter Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for litter

Idioms Using litter

  • the best of a group of people or things

    Example

    Out of all the puppies, she got to choose the pick of the litter.

  • full of or covered with something in a disorganized or untidy way

    Example

    The room was littered with clothes and books.

  • a person who litters public places with rubbish

    Example

    Don't be a litterbug, dispose of your trash properly.

Phrases with litter

  • a box filled with sand or other absorbent material used by cats as a place to urinate and defecate

    Example

    Make sure to clean the litter box regularly to avoid unpleasant smells.

  • a container for holding waste material or rubbish

    Example

    Please dispose of your trash in the litter bin provided.

  • a shallow container filled with sand or other absorbent material used by small animals as a place to urinate and defecate

    Example

    The hamster's litter tray needs to be cleaned every day.

Origins of litter

from Old English 'lītere', meaning 'a bed'

📌

Summary: litter in Brief

The term 'litter' [ˈlɪtər] refers to waste material or rubbish, often found scattered in public places. It can also refer to a group of animals born to an animal at one time, or a stretcher for carrying a sick or injured person. 'Litter' extends into phrases like 'litter box,' and idioms like 'pick of the litter,' denoting the best of a group of people or things, and 'litterbug,' referring to a person who litters public places with rubbish.

How do native speakers use this expression?