waste
To use or expend resources such as time, money, or energy carelessly, extravagantly, or for no useful purpose. It implies that a valuable resource has been lost or used ineffectively when it could have been saved or used better.
Examples
3 of 5I wasted the whole afternoon browsing social media instead of finishing my report.
I spent the entire afternoon on social media uselessly rather than completing my work.
The audit revealed that the organization had wasted significant capital on redundant software licenses.
The review showed that the company lost a lot of money on unnecessary software permissions.
Don't waste your breath trying to explain it to him; he never listens.
Do not bother talking because it is a useless effort since he does not pay attention.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'E' at the end of WASTE standing for 'Empty'—when you waste something, you end up with nothing left for your effort.
Quick Quiz
If you buy that expensive car and never drive it, you will simply ____ your money.
Correct!
The correct answer is: waste
Examples
I wasted the whole afternoon browsing social media instead of finishing my report.
everydayI spent the entire afternoon on social media uselessly rather than completing my work.
The audit revealed that the organization had wasted significant capital on redundant software licenses.
formalThe review showed that the company lost a lot of money on unnecessary software permissions.
Don't waste your breath trying to explain it to him; he never listens.
informalDo not bother talking because it is a useless effort since he does not pay attention.
Scholars argue that failing to cite previous research can waste valuable time in the scientific process.
academicAcademic experts say not referencing earlier work results in a loss of time for scientific progress.
We must optimize our supply chain so we do not waste resources during the manufacturing phase.
businessWe need to improve our logistics to avoid losing materials during production.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
waste not, want not
if you use things wisely, you will not be in need later
go to waste
to be discarded without being used
a waste of space
something or someone that is completely useless
Often Confused With
Waist refers to the part of the body between the ribs and hips, whereas waste refers to useless consumption.
Spend is neutral and just means to use money/time; waste is negative and means to use it badly.
Usage Notes
The verb is frequently followed by a gerund (verb + -ing) or the preposition 'on'. For example: 'waste time watching TV' or 'waste money on clothes'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'waste' for neutral situations where 'spend' is more appropriate. Also, avoid saying 'make waste'; the verb itself is 'to waste'.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'E' at the end of WASTE standing for 'Empty'—when you waste something, you end up with nothing left for your effort.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'gaster', meaning to spoil or ruin, which comes from the Latin 'vastus', meaning empty or desolate.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many industrialized cultures, there is a strong social stigma against 'wasting time' due to the cultural emphasis on productivity and 'time is money'.
Quick Quiz
If you buy that expensive car and never drive it, you will simply ____ your money.
Correct!
The correct answer is: waste
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
unknown
A1A person or thing that is not known, recognized, or familiar. It often refers to a mysterious situation or a person who has not yet achieved fame or success.
of
A1A preposition used to show a relationship between a part and a whole, or to indicate belonging and origin. It connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence to specify which one or what kind.
in
A1A preposition used to indicate position within a container, a space, an area, or a period of time. It describes being surrounded by something or being inside the boundaries of a location.
it
A1A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an object, animal, or situation that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. It is also frequently used as a dummy subject to talk about time, weather, or distance.
on
A1A preposition used to indicate that something is in a position above and supported by a surface. It is also used to indicate a specific day or date, or to show that a device is functioning.
as
A1A conjunction used to compare two things that are equal in some way. It is most commonly used in the pattern 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to show similarity.
this
A1Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea that is physically close to the speaker or has just been mentioned. It can also refer to the present time or a situation that is currently happening.
by
A1A preposition used to show the method or means of doing something, or to identify the person or thing that performs an action. It frequently appears in passive sentences to indicate the agent or before modes of transport.
we
A1The word 'we' is a first-person plural pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more other people collectively. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.
or
A1A coordinating conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. it indicates that only one of the options is likely, required, or true.
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