waste

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: A2 — Elementary

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
  2. noun useless or profitless activity; using or expending or consuming thoughtlessly or carelessly
  3. noun the trait of wasting resources

Etymology

From Middle English wast, waste (“a waste”, noun), from Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French wast, waste (“a waste”), from Frankish *wōstī (“a waste”), from Proto-Germanic *wōstaz, *wōstuz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁weh₂- (“empty, wasted”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

waste material, waste matter, waste product

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