The phrase "is wasteful" is spelled in accordance with standard English orthography. The word "is" is pronounced /ɪz/, with the first sound being the short "i" vowel sound and the second sound being a voiced "z" consonant sound. The word "wasteful" is pronounced /ˈweɪstfəl/, with the stress on the first syllable and the first sound being a long "a" vowel sound. The word ends with an "f" sound, followed by a schwa sound, and then ends with an "l" sound.
"Wasteful" is an adjective that describes the inclination or tendency to use or consume resources, time, or energy in an extravagant, inefficient, or excessive manner, resulting in unnecessary loss or depletion.
When something or someone is described as "wasteful," it generally implies that they employ more resources, time, or energy than necessary or appropriate for a given task, situation, or objective. This behavior often leads to a significant depletion or squandering of resources without yielding corresponding benefits or desired outcomes. A wasteful individual, for instance, may leave lights and appliances on when not needed, discard items that could have been reused or recycled, or excessively consume materials beyond actual requirements.
Wastefulness implies a lack of regard for conservation or efficiency and may be seen as an irresponsible or unsustainable approach. It is generally considered unfavorable as it not only contributes to the unnecessary depletion of natural resources but also hinders productivity and cost-effectiveness. Wasteful practices often have negative environmental impacts, such as increasing pollution levels, contributing to climate change, and degrading ecosystems.
In summary, "is wasteful" denotes behavior or practices characterized by the excessive use, consumption, or disposal of resources, time, or energy that surpasses reasonable or necessary levels, resulting in avoidable loss, inefficiency, and negative consequences.
The word "wasteful" is derived from the Middle English term "wastefulle", which dates back to the 14th century. It is formed by combining the root word "waste" with the suffix "-ful", which indicates the quality or state of something.
The root word "waste" originated from the Old North French "waster" and the Old French "gaster", both of which meant "to lay waste" or "to destroy". These further trace back to the Latin word "vastare", meaning "to lay waste" or "to desolate".
Over time, the term evolved to its current form, "wasteful", which describes a person, action, or behavior that demonstrates excessive or unnecessary consumption, squandering resources, or inefficient use of something.