waste

The word "waste" is similar to the word "garbage" when it’s used as a noun.

• There’s some waste in the trash can.
• Human waste should never get into the water supply.
• Don’t let that food go to waste.

If something is not used completely, wisely, or properly, we say that it’s a "waste."

• All of our effort has been a complete waste.
• HIs life is a waste.
• Never let your education go to waste.
• Your mind will go to waste if it’s not used.
• What a waste!

In these sentences, "wasted" is an adjective:

• Prisons are full of people with wasted lives.
• There’s a lot of wasted food in the dumpster behind the grocery store.
• He’s so wasted. (This is kind of an expression. It means that he’s really drunk or high on drugs.)

In these sentences, "waste" is a verb:

• Angela wasted two years with Tony before she finally decided to end their relationship.
• The money we spent on this furniture was wasted. It’s already falling apart.
• Rick wasted his money on casinos and fancy cars. Now he has nothing.
• Don’t waste natural resources such as water and land. They’re too valuable.

Don’t waste the Earth!

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This page was first published on July 2, 2012. It was updated on March 26, 2015.