[
UK
/wˈeɪst/
]
[ US /ˈweɪst/ ]
[ US /ˈweɪst/ ]
VERB
-
lose vigor, health, or flesh, as through grief
After her husband died, she just pined away -
use inefficiently or inappropriately
waste heat
waste a joke on an unappreciative audience -
spend extravagantly
waste not, want not -
become physically weaker
Political prisoners are wasting away in many prisons all over the world -
get rid of
We waste the dirty water by channeling it into the sewer -
cause to grow thin or weak
The treatment emaciated him -
get rid of (someone who may be a threat) by killing
the double agent was neutralized
The mafia liquidated the informer -
run off as waste
The water wastes back into the ocean -
cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly
The enemy lay waste to the countryside after the invasion -
spend thoughtlessly; throw away
You squandered the opportunity to get and advanced degree
He wasted his inheritance on his insincere friends
NOUN
-
useless or profitless activity; using or expending or consuming thoughtlessly or carelessly
if the effort brings no compensating gain it is a waste
mindless dissipation of natural resources - (law) reduction in the value of an estate caused by act or neglect
-
an uninhabited wilderness that is worthless for cultivation
the barrens of central Africa
the trackless wastes of the desert -
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
they collect the waste once a week
much of the waste material is carried off in the sewers -
the trait of wasting resources
a life characterized by thriftlessness and waste
the wastefulness of missed opportunities
ADJECTIVE
-
located in a dismal or remote area; desolate
a godforsaken wilderness crossroads
a desert island
waste places
a wild stretch of land
How To Use waste In A Sentence
- With the Senate gearing up for an all-consuming battle over judicial nominations, Congress has no time to waste.
- Companies need to be able to handle surges, otherwise the cost of generating leads is wasted and prospective customers who cannot get through may get such a bad impression of the company that they do not bother calling back.
- They put out a plan that adds up, leaves no ox ungored and should shut up anyone who says the deficit can be contained by cutting waste, fraud, abuse and foreign aid. Two Tests of a Gridlock Mentality
- (Not to be confused with what we call cookies)To serve Devon, or Cornwall clotted cream would desecrate a good southern biscuit (and be a waste of the cream really, I prefer it on saffron buns)a bit of plain cream, fresh butter, and cane syrup poured over a hot biscuit is ambrosia. Scones, Cream and Jam - a West Country cream tea
- The Holy Alliance was the joint labour of an unfortunate man who had suffered a terrible mental shock and who was trying to pacify his much-disturbed soul, and of an ambitious woman who after a wasted life had lost her beauty and her attraction and who satisfied her vanity and her desire for notoriety by assuming the rôle of self-appointed Messiah of a new and strange creed. The Story of Mankind
- The Argentine ace scored his 150th goal for the club but wasted a series of chances to put the game to bed. The Sun
- But that means there will be a lot of pumpkin flesh left over - and it shouldn't go to waste. The Sun
- She wasted a great part of the royal treasury for her benefactions!
- The pilot process is a monstrous waste of time and money, stunningly inefficient an you say "amortize" kids? Re-Arranging the Deck Chairs
- This is mostly true for fans, friends, and family of unsung folk hero Tim Hardin, the prolific songster who wasted his life living wasted.
