dump

A dump is a place filled with garbage, or it’s a place that’s not well kept or clean.

• Your garbage is hauled away to a dump.
• The city manages a dump just outside of the city.
• Bob’s apartment looks like a dump. (It’s very messy and dirty.)
• We stayed at a dumpy hotel while traveling through Florida. (The word "dumpy" is an adjective.)
• A dump truck is used for hauling construction debris or construction materials such as dirt and rocks.

dump truck

When "dump" is used as a verb, it means to get rid of something or put something down.

• Don’t dump all that stuff on my desk! (dump = put)
• You can dump your coats, hats, and gloves on the chair. (dump = put)
• You can’t dump the oil or other liquids from your car into the street. It has to be taken to a special facility. (dump = get ride of)
• Someone dumped a couch by the side of the road. (dump = get rid of)
• It’s illegal to dump garbage in this area. (dump = get rid of)

It’s very popular to use "dump" to describe the end of a relationship when one person decides that the relationship is over:

• Eric dumped his girlfriend. (He ended the relationship.)
• Regina dumped her boyfriend for another man.
• Todd got dumped by his wife. (This sentence is in the passive voice.)

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Date of publication: October 4, 2016