Search results for 'waste':

waste verb (wasted, wasting) 1 to use or spend something purposelessly or extravagantly; to squander. 2 intrans to be used to no, or little, purpose or effect. 3 to fail to use, make the best of or take advantage of (an opportunity, etc). 4 to throw away (something unused or uneaten, etc). 5 to offer (advice or sympathy, etc) where it is unheeded or unappreciated. 6 (also waste away) tr & intr to lose or cause someone to lose flesh or strength. 7 intrans to be diminished, used up or impaired by degrees. 8 tr & intr to wear out or tire, or become worn out or tired. 9 chiefly US slang to attack, kill or murder someone. 10 to treat something as waste material. 11 old use to devastate (territory); to lay (an area) waste. adj 1 rejected as useless, unneeded or excess to requirements. 2 said of ground: lying unused, uninhabited or uncultivated. 3 physiol denoting material excreted from the body, usually in the urine or faeces. noun 1 the act or an instance of wasting, or the condition of being wasted. 2 failure to take advantage of something • a waste of talent. 3 material that is no longer needed in its present form and must be processed, eg household waste and nuclear waste. 4 refuse; rubbish. 5 physiol matter excreted from the body. 6 a devastated or barren region. 7 (often wastes) a vast tract of uncultivated land or expanse of ocean, etc. go or run to waste to be wasted. lay something waste to devastate it.
ETYMOLOGY: 12c: from French wast.