How Do You Spell LITTER?

Pronunciation: [lˈɪtə] (IPA)

The word 'litter' is spelled in a way that can be tricky to pronounce correctly. Using the IPA phonetic transcription, we can break down the word into its individual sounds: /lɪtər/. The 'l' sound is pronounced by touching the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth, just behind your teeth. The following 'i' sound is pronounced with a short, sharp 'ih' sound. The 't' sound is pronounced by touching your tongue to the gum ridge, and the 'er' sound is pronounced with a prolonged 'r' sound whilst rounding your lips.

LITTER Meaning and Definition

  1. Litter is a noun that refers to waste materials, typically made of discarded items that are thrown away or left inappropriately in public spaces. It encompasses various types of trash such as paper, plastic, glass, metal objects, food wrappers, and cigarette butts. Litter can be found scattered on streets, sidewalks, parks, beaches, or any area where people frequent.

    In a broader sense, litter can also include objects that are intentionally abandoned, neglected, or improperly stored, contributing to a cluttered or messy environment. For instance, in a household, a disorganized or untidy space with scattered or misplaced items can be referred to as littered.

    Furthermore, litter can be a verb, describing the act of throwing trash or discarding items carelessly in an inappropriate place. It represents a negative behavior that leads to the pollution and degradation of the environment, posing threats to wildlife, ecosystems, and human health.

    Efforts to combat litter include public awareness campaigns, enforcement of fines or penalties for littering, installation of waste bins in public areas for convenient disposal, and initiatives promoting recycling. Cleaning up litter, either through organized community events or regular maintenance, is also vital in preserving the cleanliness and aesthetic appeal of public spaces.

  2. A stretcher or portable couch for moving the sick or wounded.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • Straw, hay, and suchlike, used as a bed for horses, &c.; a framework supporting a sort of bed which may be borne by men or a horse; a brood of young pigs, kittens, &c.; things strewed about in confusion; a condition of disorder or confusion.
    • To bring forth, as small quadrupeds; to cover or supply with straw or litter.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for LITTER *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for LITTER

Etymology of LITTER

The word "litter" can be traced back to Middle English and Old French. In Middle English, it was spelled as "litere" and in Old French as "litere" or "litiere". These forms were derived from the Latin word "lectus", which means "bed" or "couch". The Latin word ultimately came from the verb "legere", meaning "to pick up" or "to choose". The term "litter" originally referred to a bed or couch carrying a person of importance, and over time, its meaning expanded to include a vehicle or portable bed used to transport people or goods. Later, it developed a specific sense of a vehicle or carrying device used for transporting injured or disabled people or carrying refuse. Eventually, "litter" also came to refer to the waste or trash that may be strewn about or improperly disposed of, which is the most common usage of the word today.

Idioms with the word LITTER

  • runt of the litter The idiom "runt of the litter" refers to the smallest, weakest, or least healthy individual among a group or siblings. It is often used metaphorically to describe someone who is perceived as less capable or successful than others in a particular group or category.
  • litter about The idiom "litter about" means to spread or scatter objects or items in a disorderly or careless manner. It refers to the act of leaving things in a messy or untidy state, often creating clutter or disorder.
  • litter sth up To "litter something up" means to make a place or area messy or cluttered by leaving trash, objects, or items in a disorganized manner. It implies the act of scattering or leaving things in a disorderly or untidy way, leading to the degradation of the space's cleanliness or aesthetic appeal.
  • litter sth about The idiom "litter sth about" means to scatter or spread something randomly and disorderly in various places, causing a messy or untidy environment. It implies the act of leaving things in an unorganized manner, often creating clutter or disarray.
  • the pick of the litter The idiom "the pick of the litter" refers to selecting or choosing the best or most desirable item or individual from a group or selection. It typically implies that the chosen item or individual stands out in terms of quality, talent, or other desirable attributes, similar to how the best puppy in a litter might be selected.
  • litter something about The phrase "litter something about" means to scatter or spread something randomly or haphazardly in various places. It implies a lack of order or organization in the placement of objects or things.
  • litter something up The idiom "litter something up" means to make a place or an area messy or untidy by scattering or spreading items or objects randomly and without organization. It refers to adding clutter or disorder to a previously clean and neat space.
  • pick of the litter The idiom "pick of the litter" refers to the best or highest quality among a group of things or people. It originally comes from the context of choosing a puppy from a litter of newborn dogs, where one picks the best, most desirable one. In a broader sense, it can be used to describe the top choice or the cream of the crop in any given situation.

Similar spelling words for LITTER

Plural form of LITTER is LITTERS

Conjugate verb Litter

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have littered
you would have littered
he/she/it would have littered
we would have littered
they would have littered
I would have litter
you would have litter
he/she/it would have litter
we would have litter
they would have litter

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been littering
you would have been littering
he/she/it would have been littering
we would have been littering
they would have been littering

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would litter
you would litter
he/she/it would litter
we would litter
they would litter

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be littering
you would be littering
he/she/it would be littering
we would be littering
they would be littering

FUTURE

I will litter
you will litter
he/she/it will litter
we will litter
they will litter

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be littering
you will be littering
he/she/it will be littering
we will be littering
they will be littering

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have littered
you will have littered
he/she/it will have littered
we will have littered
they will have littered

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been littering
you will have been littering
he/she/it will have been littering
we will have been littering
they will have been littering

IMPERATIVE

you litter
we let´s litter

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to litter

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was littering
you were littering
he/she/it was littering
we were littering
they were littering

PAST PARTICIPLE

littered

PAST PERFECT

I had littered
you had littered
he/she/it had littered
we had littered
they had littered

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been littering
you had been littering
he/she/it had been littering
we had been littering
they had been littering

PRESENT

I litter
you litter
he/she/it litters
we litter
they litter

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am littering
you are littering
he/she/it is littering
we are littering
they are littering

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

littering

PRESENT PERFECT

I have littered
you have littered
he/she/it has littered
we have littered
they have littered

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been littering
you have been littering
he/she/it has been littering
we have been littering
they have been littering

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it litter

SIMPLE PAST

I littered
you littered
he/she/it littered
we littered
they littered

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