wasteful — using more of something than is necessary or useful; not making good use of resources
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: using more of something than is necessary or useful; not making good use of resources
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈweɪstfəl/
Example Sentences
- My mom says leaving the lights on all day is wasteful, but I think it's 'mood lighting'!
- The company's wasteful practices led to huge budget deficits.
- He realized his wasteful shopping habits when his credit card was declined at the ramen shop.
wasteful
ADJECTIVE[/ˈweɪstfəl/]
using more of something than is necessary or useful; not making good use of resources
using more of something than is necessary or useful; not making good use of resources
Being wasteful breeds hateful thoughts, while modesty creates tasteful beauty!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word originated in the 14th century from Old French 'waste' (to lay waste, to devastate) combined with the suffix '-ful' (full of). Initially meaning 'destructive' or 'causing ruin,' it evolved to its modern sense of 'characterized by extravagant or careless use of resources.'
Breakdown
waste (to squander, to devastate) + -ful (adjective suffix meaning 'full of' or 'characterized by'). The suffix transforms the verb into an adjective describing a tendency or quality.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My mom says leaving the lights on all day is wasteful, but I think it's 'mood lighting'!”
“The company's wasteful practices led to huge budget deficits.”
“He realized his wasteful shopping habits when his credit card was declined at the ramen shop.”
“We need to reduce wasteful energy consumption in our daily lives.”
📚Related Words
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