wastrel

[ˈweɪstrəl]

wastrel Definition

a person who wastes their money, time, or resources and does nothing useful or valuable.

Using wastrel: Examples

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

  • Example

    He was a wastrel who squandered his inheritance on gambling and drinking.

  • Example

    She accused him of being a wastrel who never did anything productive.

  • Example

    The town's wastrels spent their days lounging in the park and causing trouble.

  • Example

    The novel's protagonist is a wastrel who must learn to take responsibility for his actions.

wastrel Synonyms and Antonyms

Idioms Using wastrel

  • a person or activity that is a complete waste of time

    Example

    Watching TV all day is a wastrel of time; you should be doing something more productive.

  • an object or item that takes up unnecessary space and serves no useful purpose

    Example

    That old couch is just a wastrel of space; we should get rid of it.

  • a person or activity that uses up a lot of energy without producing any meaningful results

    Example

    Arguing with him is a wastrel of energy; he'll never change his mind.

Phrases with wastrel

  • a person who has always been wasteful and unproductive

    Example

    Despite his parents' best efforts, he remained a born wastrel, never able to hold down a job or save any money.

  • a person who has recognized their wasteful behavior and is actively working to change it

    Example

    After years of living as a recovering wastrel, he finally managed to get his life back on track and start a successful business.

  • a person who is wasteful and unproductive but still manages to be likable or attractive

    Example

    Despite his flaws, she found herself drawn to the charming wastrel and couldn't resist his advances.

Origins of wastrel

from 'waste' + '-rel', meaning 'one who'

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Summary: wastrel in Brief

The term 'wastrel' [ˈweɪstrəl] refers to a person who wastes their resources, time, or money and does nothing useful or valuable. It can describe someone who is unproductive and squanders their inheritance, like 'He was a wastrel who squandered his inheritance on gambling and drinking,' or someone who is likable despite their wastefulness, like 'Despite his flaws, she found herself drawn to the charming wastrel.' The phrase 'a wastrel of time' describes an activity or person that is a complete waste of time.