waste
waste
(weɪst )Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense wastes , present participle wasting , past tense, past participle wasted
1. verb
If you waste something such as time, money, or energy, you use too much of it doing something that is not important or necessary, or is unlikely to succeed.
There could be many reasons and he was not going to waste time speculating on them. [VERB noun verb-ing]
I resolved not to waste money on a hotel. [VERB noun + on]
The system wastes a large amount of water. [VERB noun]
Waste is also a noun.
It is a waste of time going to the doctor with most mild complaints. [+ of]
I think that is a total waste of money. [+ of]
2. uncountable noun
Waste is the use of money or other resources on things that do not need it.
The packets are measured to reduce waste.
I hate waste.
3. uncountable noun
Waste is material which has been used and is no longer wanted, for example because the valuable or useful part of it has been taken out.
Congress passed a law that regulates the disposal of waste.
Up to 10 million tonnes of toxic wastes are produced every year in the U.K..
...the process of eliminating body waste.
rubbish, refuse, debris, sweepings, scrap, litter, garbage, trash [US, Canadian], leftovers, offal, dross, dregs, leavings, offscourings4. verb
If you waste an opportunity for something, you do not take advantage of it when it is available.
Let's not waste an opportunity to see the children. [VERB noun]
It was a wasted opportunity. [VERB-ed]
5. verb [usually passive]
If you say that something is wasted on someone, you mean that there is no point giving it or telling it to them as they will not appreciate, understand, or pay any attention to it.
All the well-meant, sincere advice is largely wasted on him. [be V-ed on n]
6. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Waste land is land, especially in or near a city, which is not used or looked after by anyone, and so is covered by wild plants and rubbish.
There was a patch of waste land behind the church.
Yarrow can be found growing wild in fields and on waste ground.
uncultivated, wild, bare, barren, empty, devastated, dismal, dreary, desolate, unproductive, uninhabited7. plural noun [adjective NOUN]
8. See also wasted
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10.
13. to waste no time
Phrasal verbs:
