adjective
Uncommon
disposable
dihs-POH-zuhbl
Disposable (adjective) means Designed to be thrown away after use rather than cleaned or reused. Example: “The café switched to disposable cups to speed up service.”
adjective
1
Designed to be thrown away after use rather than cleaned or reused.
"Rather than purchase an expensive razor he bought a packet of cheap disposable ones."
"The café switched to disposable cups to speed up service."
"A disposable cup sits in a museum gallery, fully intact even after being cast aside thousands of years ago."
— Amy Woodyatt, 3,600-year-old disposable cup shows even our ancestors hated doing dishes (2019)
2
Available for someone to use freely, especially describing income left after essential expenses.
"With less disposable income, families are cutting back on eating out."
How to use disposable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMeant to be used once and thrown away, or (for money) free to spend as you like.
Common pairings
disposable income
disposable cutlery
single-use disposable
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Word forms
- Plural
- disposables
- Comparative
- more disposable
- Superlative
- most disposable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The café switched to _____ cups to speed up service.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for disposable
See all rhymes for disposable →Frequently asked questions
What does “disposable” mean?
The word “disposable” means designed to be thrown away after use rather than cleaned or reused. In plain terms, meant to be used once and thrown away, or (for money) free to spend as you like.
How do you pronounce “disposable”?
“Disposable” is pronounced dihs-POH-zuhbl (/dɪsˈpoʊzəbl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “disposable” in a sentence?
Here is “disposable” used in a sentence: “The café switched to disposable cups to speed up service.”
What is the opposite of “disposable”?
The opposite of “disposable” — its antonyms — are non-disposable, nondisposable, undisposable and indisposable.
What part of speech is “disposable”?
“Disposable” is an adjective.
Is “disposable” a common word?
“Disposable” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “disposable” have?
“Disposable” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: designed to be thrown away after use rather than cleaned or reused.
What is the difference between disposable and reusable?
Disposable describes items designed to be thrown away after a single use, such as disposable cups or razors, whereas reusable items are made to be used multiple times. The distinction matters for both cost and environmental impact, since disposable products generate more waste.
Is disposable always used negatively?
No, disposable is a neutral, practical term rather than a negative one; it simply describes something intended for single use or freely available money. Context determines the connotation, and in environmental discussions disposable products are often criticized for creating waste.
