waste noun (BAD USE)
B1 [ S or U ] an unnecessary or wrong use of money, substances, time, energy, abilities, etc.:
That meeting achieved absolutely nothing - it was a complete waste of time.
She's been unemployed for two years and it's such a waste of her talents.
go to waste
waste noun (UNWANTED MATTER)
B1 [ C or U ] unwanted matter or material of any type, especially what is left after useful substances or parts have been removed:
Oil spills are common, as is the dumping of toxic industrial wastes.
More examples
- The government is having difficulty finding a safe depository for nuclear waste.
- Most people do not want this country to become a dumping ground for toxic waste.
- She makes a big profit from selling waste material to textile companies.
- Liquid and solid waste is collected in the tank.
- The Japanese recycle more than half their waste paper.
waste noun (EMPTY GROUND)
waste ground mainly UK
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Idiom(s)
waste verb [ T ] (USE BADLY)
More examples
- The way we waste this planet's resources is criminal.
- A lot of water is wasted through leakage.
- We have to change the public's perception that money is being wasted.
- If you'd got on with your work instead of wasting time chatting, you'd be finished by now.
- Have some more vegetables - it would be a shame to waste them.
