WASTE Meaning and
Definition
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Waste refers to any material or substance that is discarded, abandoned, unusable, or no longer wanted or needed due to being considered worthless, of minimal value, or surplus to requirements. It represents anything that is thrown away, disposed of, or left unused, and may include various forms such as solid, liquid, or gaseous substances.
In the context of environmental sustainability and resource management, waste often refers to materials and substances produced by human activities, which may be harmful to the environment or pose a threat to human health if not managed properly. Common examples of waste include household refuse, industrial byproducts, agricultural waste, hazardous chemicals, and even electronic waste.
Effective waste management strategies are essential to minimize the negative impacts of waste on both the environment and human health. These strategies involve various processes including reduction, reuse, recycling, and proper disposal. By implementing these measures, waste can be minimized, valuable resources can be conserved, pollution levels can be reduced, and overall sustainability can be achieved.
Moreover, waste can also refer to the act or instance of using or expending something unnecessarily or inappropriately. This implies wastefulness, inefficiency, or misuse of resources, time, money, or energy. It is essential to minimize waste in all aspects of life, not only to promote sustainable practices but also to maximize the efficient use of resources and minimize unnecessary consumption.
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• To destroy or expend wantonly or unnecessarily; to squander; to throw away; to wear out; to consume; to damage or injure; to lose bulk or substance gradually; to be consumed or dissipated.
• Ruined; destroyed; uncultivated; rejected, or used for inferior purposes; that of which no account is taken.
• Land untilled; a region ruined, deserted, or desolate; a space unoccupied; the act of squandering; that which is rejected; refuse cotton or silk; useless expense; among miners, the old neglected workings of a coalmine.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for WASTE *
* 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 WASTE
Etymology of WASTE
The word "waste" has a rich etymology that traces back to Old English and beyond. Here is its etymological journey:1. The modern English word "waste" comes from the Old English word "wǣste", which meant uninhabited or desolate land. 2. "Wǣste" derives from the Proto-Germanic word "*wēstō", which meant desolation or emptiness.3. The Proto-Germanic word "*wēstō" is further derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*wes-", which meant to leave empty or to desert.4. The same root "*wes-" also gave rise to various other related words in different Indo-European languages. For example: - In Middle Dutch: "woest" meant desolate or barren. - In Old High German: "wāst" meant empty or desolate.
Idioms with the word WASTE
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waste sth away
To "waste something away" means to use or spend something (such as time, money, resources, or opportunities) in a careless or unproductive manner, resulting in its gradual or complete loss or depletion. It implies squandering or not making good use of something.
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waste no time in
The idiom "waste no time in" means to immediately start doing something or to act quickly and efficiently without any delay.
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go to waste
The idiom "go to waste" means to not be used or utilized effectively, resulting in a loss or squandering of something valuable or useful.
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a waste of energy
The idiom "a waste of energy" refers to an action or effort that consumes one's time, resources, or efforts unnecessary or unproductively. It implies that the energy invested does not lead to any significant or favorable outcome, making it futile or pointless.
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waste sth on sm or sth
The idiom "waste something on someone or something" means to use or apply something in a way that is not productive or beneficial. It implies that the thing being wasted would have been better used or given to someone or something else.
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a waste of breath
The idiom "a waste of breath" is used to describe a situation where speaking or making an effort to persuade or convince someone is pointless or with no effect. It suggests that the words being spoken will not achieve the desired outcome or bring any fruitful results.
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waste no time in doing sth
The idiom "waste no time in doing sth" means to not delay or hesitate in taking action or doing something. It implies being immediately proactive and efficient in accomplishing a task or pursuing a goal.
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waste sth on sb
The idiom "waste something on somebody" means to use or spend something (such as time, money, or effort) in a way that is pointless or ineffective for the person it is given to. It implies that the person does not appreciate or fully utilize what is being offered or given to them.
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Haste makes waste.
The idiom "Haste makes waste" means that when someone rushes or acts too quickly without proper planning or thought, it often leads to mistakes, errors, or wasted time and effort. Therefore, taking the time to do something carefully and thoroughly will result in a better outcome.
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not waste words
The idiom "not waste words" means to express oneself concisely and effectively, avoiding unnecessary or excessive words. It refers to the act of using only the most essential and meaningful words to communicate an idea or message without any superfluous or redundant language.
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waste no time (in) (doing something)
The idiom "waste no time (in) (doing something)" means to take immediate action or to start doing something without delay. It implies that one is not going to waste any precious time and will begin the task or action promptly.
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waste not, want not
The idiom "waste not, want not" means that if you use or consume things sparingly and avoid wastage, you will always have enough and never be in need. It emphasizes the importance of being frugal and avoiding unnecessary waste in order to ensure that one's needs are always met.
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a waste of space
The idiom "a waste of space" refers to someone or something that serves no useful purpose, lacks value, or contributes nothing of significance to a particular situation or context. It implies that the person or object in question is entirely unproductive, unnecessary, or inefficient.
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waste breath
The idiom "waste breath" means to speak or argue about something that is likely to have no effect or bring about any change, therefore using one's energy and effort in a futile or pointless manner.
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lay sth to waste
The idiom "lay something to waste" means to damage or destroy something completely or extensively, leaving it in ruins or a state of desolation. It often implies a sense of devastation, whether physical, emotional, or metaphorical.
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a committee is a group of men who keep minutes and waste hours
The idiom "a committee is a group of men who keep minutes and waste hours" is a humorous saying that highlights the tendency of committees to engage in excessive discussions and inefficiencies. It implies that committees often spend significant amounts of time on unnecessary or unproductive activities, such as extended debates or excessive planning, which may hamper progress or decision-making.
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lay waste, at lay sth to waste
The idiom "lay waste" or "lay something to waste" refers to the act of destroying or devastiing someone or something completely. It involves causing immense damage or destruction to a particular place, object, or situation. This expression often implies a thorough and irreparable destruction or ruin.
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lay waste to (something)
The idiom "lay waste to (something)" means to completely destroy or devastate something, causing significant damage or ruin. It implies a thorough destruction or desolation on a large scale.
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waste one's breath
The idiom "waste one's breath" means to make an effort to persuade or convince someone about something, but it is futile or useless. It refers to speaking or arguing in vain because the person or people you are addressing are unlikely to listen, be convinced, or take action based on what you say.
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a mind is a terrible thing to waste
The idiom "a mind is a terrible thing to waste" means that it is a great tragedy and a loss to society when someone with great intelligence, potential, or talent does not receive the education, opportunities, or support necessary to reach their full potential. It emphasizes the importance of nurturing and utilizing one's intellectual abilities to contribute meaningfully to the world.
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be a waste of space
The idiom "be a waste of space" refers to a person or thing that is useless, ineffective, or of no value or worth. It implies that the subject is occupying a place or position that could be utilized more productively by someone or something else.
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toxic waste dump
The idiom "toxic waste dump" refers to a place or situation that is extremely detrimental or harmful. It is often used to describe a negative or corrupt environment, organization, relationship, or situation that can have severe negative impacts or consequences. The term is derived from the hazardous nature of toxic waste dumps, which can contaminate the surrounding environment and pose significant health risks.
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lay waste (to sth)
The idiom "lay waste (to sth)" means to cause significant destruction or devastation to something, such as a place, a person's reputation, or a plan.
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waste away
The idiom "waste away" means to gradually become weaker, thinner, or less substantial in physical or mental form due to neglect, lack of use, or a decline in health. It can also refer to the gradual loss of value, potential, or resources over time.
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waste your breath
The idiom "waste your breath" means to spend time and effort saying something that will not have any effect or influence on the person or situation being addressed. It suggests that the act of speaking or arguing in such cases is futile and will not lead to any desired outcome.
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lay to waste
The idiom "lay to waste" means to destroy or devastate completely. It is often used to describe the act of causing extensive damage or ruin to something, such as a city, a landscape, or an enemy's forces.
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lay (something) waste
The idiom "lay (something) waste" means to completely destroy or devastate something, often resulting in ruins or a state of desolation. It is often used to describe significant destruction or extreme damage done to a place or an object.
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lay waste (to)
The idiom "lay waste (to)" means to completely destroy or devastate something, often referring to a place or a larger area. It implies causing significant damage or ruin, leaving nothing of value or usefulness behind.
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waste of space
The definition of the idiom "waste of space" is an expression used to describe a person or thing that is considered useless, unproductive, or lacking value. It implies that the individual or object takes up physical or metaphorical space without serving any meaningful purpose.
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Don't waste your time
The idiom "Don't waste your time" means to refrain from expending one's precious time and effort on something that is not worthwhile or productive. It suggests that it is more beneficial to invest time in activities or tasks that yield better results or contribute to personal growth and success.
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lay waste
The idiom "lay waste" means to completely destroy or devastate something, such as an area, a city, or a land. It can refer to the physical destruction of things or the metaphorical destruction of plans, ideas, or hopes.
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waste sm
Similar spelling words for WASTE
Conjugate verb Waste
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have wasted
you
would have wasted
he/she/it
would have wasted
we
would have wasted
they
would have wasted
I
would have waste
you
would have waste
he/she/it
would have waste
we
would have waste
they
would have waste
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been wasting
you
would have been wasting
he/she/it
would have been wasting
we
would have been wasting
they
would have been wasting
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would waste
you
would waste
he/she/it
would waste
we
would waste
they
would waste
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be wasting
you
would be wasting
he/she/it
would be wasting
we
would be wasting
they
would be wasting
FUTURE
I
will waste
you
will waste
he/she/it
will waste
we
will waste
they
will waste
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be wasting
you
will be wasting
he/she/it
will be wasting
we
will be wasting
they
will be wasting
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have wasted
you
will have wasted
he/she/it
will have wasted
we
will have wasted
they
will have wasted
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been wasting
you
will have been wasting
he/she/it
will have been wasting
we
will have been wasting
they
will have been wasting
IMPERATIVE
you
waste
we
let´s waste
to waste
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was wasting
you
were wasting
he/she/it
was wasting
we
were wasting
they
were wasting
PAST PARTICIPLE
wasted
PAST PERFECT
I
had wasted
you
had wasted
he/she/it
had wasted
we
had wasted
they
had wasted
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been wasting
you
had been wasting
he/she/it
had been wasting
we
had been wasting
they
had been wasting
PRESENT
I
waste
you
waste
he/she/it
wastes
we
waste
they
waste
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am wasting
you
are wasting
he/she/it
is wasting
we
are wasting
they
are wasting
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
wasting
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have wasted
you
have wasted
he/she/it
has wasted
we
have wasted
they
have wasted
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been wasting
you
have been wasting
he/she/it
has been wasting
we
have been wasting
they
have been wasting
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
waste
SIMPLE PAST
I
wasted
you
wasted
he/she/it
wasted
we
wasted
they
wasted
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