waste

[weɪst]

waste Definition

• 1. use (something) to no purpose or for an improper purpose.
• 2. fail to make full or good use of (something such as time or an opportunity).
• 3. cause (something) to become unusable or unimportant by injuring, damaging, or attacking it.

Using waste: Examples

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

• Example

  Don't waste your money on that.

• Example

  He wasted his life on drugs.

• Example

  The injury wasted his football career.

waste Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for waste

• squander
• misuse
• discard
• fritter away
• throw away

Antonyms for waste

• conserve
• save
• utilize

Idioms Using waste

• a waste of breath

  something said that has no effect or is ignored

  Example

  Telling him to stop smoking is a waste of breath.

• go to waste

  be unused or unappreciated

  Example

  All the food will go to waste if nobody eats it.

• waste not, want not

  if you use a commodity or resource carefully and without extravagance, you will never be in need

  Example

  My grandmother always told me to waste not, want not.

Phrases with waste

• waste of time

  an activity that is not useful or productive

  Example

  Watching TV all day is a waste of time.

• waste disposal

  the process of getting rid of waste materials

  Example

  The city has a waste disposal program to reduce pollution.

• waste away

  gradually decline in health, strength, or power

  Example

  He wasted away after being diagnosed with cancer.

Origins of waste

from Old English 'wæstan', meaning 'to devastate'

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Summary: waste in Brief

The verb 'waste' [weɪst] means to use something improperly or to no purpose, or to cause damage or injury. Examples include 'Don't waste your money on that,' and 'The injury wasted his football career.' Phrases like 'waste of time' and 'waste disposal' extend the concept, while idioms like 'a waste of breath' and 'waste not, want not' add color and nuance.