adjective B1 Intermediate Uncommon

wasteful

WAYST-fuhl

Wasteful (adjective) means using more of something than is needed, or using it carelessly. Example: “Leaving the tap running is wasteful.”

adjective

Using more of something than is needed, or using it carelessly.

"Leaving the tap running is wasteful."

"The company was criticised for wasteful spending."

How to use wasteful

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes using something, especially money or resources, more than is necessary.

Common pairings

wasteful spending wasteful habits environmentally wasteful

Word forms

more wasteful comparative, most wasteful superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

Leaving the tap running is _____.

Etymology

From Middle English wastful, formed from waste plus -ful.

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for wasteful

useful woeful eyeful careful hopeful hateful fateful grateful spiteful forceful graceful vengeful

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Frequently asked questions

What does “wasteful” mean?

The word “wasteful” means using more of something than is needed, or using it carelessly. In plain terms, describes using something, especially money or resources, more than is necessary.

How do you pronounce “wasteful”?

“Wasteful” is pronounced WAYST-fuhl (/ˈweɪstfəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “wasteful” in a sentence?

Here is “wasteful” used in a sentence: “Leaving the tap running is wasteful.”

What part of speech is “wasteful”?

“Wasteful” is an adjective.

Where does the word “wasteful” come from?

The word “wasteful” comes from Middle English. From Middle English wastful, formed from waste plus -ful.

Is “wasteful” a common word?

“Wasteful” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.