好词典

waste

UK //weɪst//US //weɪst//

词源

源自中古英语 wast,来自古法语 wast(荒芜的),最终源于拉丁语 vastus(空的,荒凉的)。

noun

❶ 指被丢弃或未被充分利用的物质、时间或资源,通常带有负面含义,暗示不必要的损失或低效使用。

“The factory produces a lot of chemical waste.”

(这家工厂产生大量化学废料。)

“Leaving the lights on is a waste of electricity.”

(让灯一直开着是浪费电。)

同义词:rubbish, garbage, trash

verb

❶ 指不必要地消耗或滥用资源、机会等,也可表示因疾病等导致身体逐渐衰弱。

“She wasted all her money on gambling.”

(她把钱全浪费在赌博上。)

“Don't waste water during the drought.”

(干旱期间不要浪费水。)

同义词:squander, misuse, deplete

常见短语

waste away — 指因疾病、饥饿等原因逐渐变得瘦弱或衰弱,通常描述身体状况的持续恶化。

“After months of illness, he wasted away to skin and bones.”

(经过数月的疾病折磨,他瘦得皮包骨头。)

go to waste — 表示资源、机会等未被利用而白白损失,强调本可避免的浪费结果。

“It's a shame to let all this food go to waste.”

(让这些食物白白浪费太可惜了。)