noun
wastrel
WAYST-ruhl
Wastrel (noun) means someone who spends time or money recklessly, without care for the consequences. Example: “His father called him a wastrel for blowing his savings on gambling.”
noun
1
Someone who spends time or money recklessly, without care for the consequences.
"His father called him a wastrel for blowing his savings on gambling."
How to use wastrel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned word for someone who wastes money, time, or resources recklessly.
When to use it
Slightly literary or old-fashioned; rarely used in everyday speech now.
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Word forms
- Plural
- wastrels
Fill the gap
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His father called him a _____ for blowing his savings on gambling.
Etymology
A 19th-century coinage combining waste with the pejorative suffix -rel, as in "scoundrel."
Class of 1800
wastrel joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “wastrel” mean?
The word “wastrel” means someone who spends time or money recklessly, without care for the consequences. In plain terms, an old-fashioned word for someone who wastes money, time, or resources recklessly.
How do you pronounce “wastrel”?
“Wastrel” is pronounced WAYST-ruhl (/ˈweɪstɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “wastrel” in a sentence?
Here is “wastrel” used in a sentence: “His father called him a wastrel for blowing his savings on gambling.”
What part of speech is “wastrel”?
“Wastrel” is a noun.
Where does the word “wastrel” come from?
The word “wastrel” dates back to around 1800. A 19th-century coinage combining waste with the pejorative suffix -rel, as in "scoundrel.".
