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to waste

to waste

15 3.0
To flow away and be lost so it cannot be used
  • verb
  • /weɪst/
translation icon : desperdiciar
  • Don't waste water.
  • waste water

So very little of the heat, extra heat gets run off as extra energy gets wasted as heat.

Examples

  • Air conditioning wastes gas.

  • You will only waste your body's water.

  • - We're wasting a lot of oil.

  • Even with a well, which Luke had dug in the spring, we are careful not to waste a drop of water.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Domestic consumers waste large quantities of water to keep exotic gardens green.

    Academic text (1990)
  • You're wasting too much water.

  • In case you're not getting it: no one is encouraging you to waste water.

    Blog text (1)
  • His efficiency will be key to helping the Seminoles not waste possessions.

    Blog text (33)
  • Don't waste that stuff.

  • A silently running toilet can waste 75 gallons of water per day.

Synonyms

to run off
vsto waste
7 2.9

Flow away from a surface into drains or rivers

refers to general loss of liquid without focusing on surface drainage
to pour down the drain
vsto waste
  • Informal
6.0

Lose money, time, or effort by wasting it so it cannot be used

describes physical liquid loss rather than losing abstract valuables

Antonyms

1.0

Keep something for use later

236 3.4

To keep having something such as a job or possession

Idioms

14 8.8

An action that causes great damage to places and people

A situation that needs action right away

Use things carefully so you do not run out later

So good that it should not be thrown away

Phrasal Verbs

728 1.6

To spend time doing things that are not useful instead of doing something more useful

To destroy a place and leave it ruined

To become weak and thin because of sickness or not eating enough

Use time or effort in a way that achieves little

To spend time on things that are not useful

Compounds

126 2.7

An activity that takes time but does not help you

36 3.5

Poisonous materials people throw away that can harm health or nature

An amount of money spent without getting a useful result

radioactive waste
  • Specialized
12 5.0

Unwanted material from nuclear power that gives off radiation

8 2.7

Uneaten or leftover food that people throw away from homes and shops

A thing made and thrown away by a factory, machine, or body

6 3.5

Dirty substances that people get rid of from their bodies, like urine and feces

A place where people leave dangerous chemicals, often illegally

An activity that uses your time but does not help you

An action that uses effort but achieves nothing useful

toxic waste site
  • Specialized
2 4.4

A place where dangerous chemical waste is stored or dumped

Things like old or broken items that are thrown away

2 1.3

A container with an open top for small trash like paper

waste of skin
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person seen as having no value or use

An action that uses time and energy but gives no useful result

1 1.1

Paper that people throw away after use

1 4.2

A way to stop making trash by reusing, recycling and using fewer things

1 6.5

Radioactive material from medical tests and hospital procedures that has low radiation and needs safe handling

1 7.8

Highly radioactive material left after nuclear fuel is used that needs safe storage for a long time

body waste
  • NSFW
1 2.7

Things the body gets rid of, like urine, sweat, and feces

A thing like time or money that is completely useless and gives no benefit

1 4.7

Poisonous waste from factories that can harm people and nature

Using or throwing away materials so usable parts are lost

9.9

A property loses value when a tenant fails to take care of it

9.9

A rude phrase for something completely pointless and not worth your time

toxic waste area
  • Specialized
4.6

A place where people dump poisonous materials that must be cleaned because they can harm people or nature

Things people throw away because they are not useful

waste baler
  • Specialized
5.6

A machine that presses waste like cardboard or plastic into tight bundles for easier handling

3.0

A pipe that carries away dirty water from a sink or bath

7.2

A large shallow pond that treats sewage using sunlight and bacteria and algae

A small open container for throwing away paper and other small rubbish

An area of land where people put rubbish

How Much

drain
44 1.4
to wash away
33 2.1
to waste
15 3.0
spill
103 1.0
leak
290 1.0
to seep
82 2.7

Surface Forms

waste infinitive
wasted past
wasted past participle
wasting present participle
wastes third person singular

Etymology

Waste meaning 'to flow away' follows the old idea of loss in wāst, so when a liquid 'wastes' it is simply being lost or running away from where it is needed.