trash
gb/tɹˈæʃ/ us/tɹˈæʃ/
A2
English
~ 8000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
waste material to be thrown away
Things you do not want and throw away, like old food, paper, or broken items.
Usage pattern:
throw [something] in the trash
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "trash" with "litter." "Trash" is the waste itself, especially in containers, while "litter" is trash that has been thrown on the ground in a public place. In British English, "rubbish" is more common than "trash."
Synonyms
garbage (Very close in meaning, especially in American English; used in similar situations.)
Antonyms
recycling (Refers to waste that is processed and reused instead of being thrown away.)
Collocations
take out the trash
|throw it in the trash
|overflowing trash
|pick up the trash
|sort the trash
|trash can
Themes
daily life
|home
|environment
|daily_life
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Please take out the trash before you go to bed.
- The park was covered in trash after the concert.
- She threw the broken glass into the trash.
- He forgot to put the trash on the curb for collection.
- There’s a strange smell coming from the kitchen trash.
Learner examples
- I put the old food in the trash.
- The trash is full. Can you empty it?
- We picked up trash on the beach.
- There is a trash can next to the door.
- Please do not drop trash on the street.
Verb
B1
action
2
to throw something away
To throw something away because you do not want it anymore.
Usage pattern:
to trash [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse verb "trash" with noun "trash." As a verb, it is usually followed by an object ("trash the files"), while as a noun it is often used with prepositions ("in the trash," "take out the trash"). In computer contexts, "trash" can also be the name of the folder where deleted files are stored.
Synonyms
discard (More formal and slightly more careful-sounding; often used in written or technical instructions.)
Antonyms
keep (Means to continue to have something instead of throwing it away.)
Collocations
trash the old files
|trash the email
|accidentally trashed
|trash the document
|trash the idea
|trash the draft
Themes
daily life
|technology
|work
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I accidentally trashed the email and had to ask her to resend it.
- You can trash those receipts; we don’t need them anymore.
- He trashed all the old paperwork during the office cleanup.
- Don’t trash that box yet—I might use it for storage.
- She quickly trashed the photo from her phone.
Learner examples
- I trashed the broken chair.
- You can trash this paper; it is not important.
- He trashed the message by mistake.
- Please do not trash my notes.
- She trashed many old photos on her computer.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
3
something very bad or worthless
Something that is very bad or has almost no value, especially a movie, book, song, or idea.
Usage pattern:
[something] is trash
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to use "trash" in formal writing with this meaning. This sense is informal and often sounds rude or very negative. In neutral or formal contexts, it is better to say "very poor quality," "terrible," or "awful."
Synonyms
garbage (Used figuratively in the same way ("That movie was garbage"), with similar informal tone.)
Antonyms
masterpiece (Highlights the contrast with something considered extremely good or of the highest quality.)
Collocations
complete trash
|absolute trash
|hot trash
|call it trash
|low-quality trash
|consider it trash
Themes
opinions
|media
|emotions
|communication
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Most critics agreed that the sequel was pure trash.
- He thinks all pop music is trash, but I completely disagree.
- The app looked good, but the user experience was trash.
- She called the article trash and refused to share it.
- Honestly, that plan is trash—we need a better one.
Learner examples
- The movie was trash, and we left early.
- He said my idea was trash, and I felt bad.
- Some people think this show is trash, but I like it.
- The sound on this cheap phone is trash.
- That website is trash and full of lies.
Verb
informal
B2
action
4
to criticize very harshly
To say very bad things about someone or something, often in a strong or mean way.
Usage pattern:
trash [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with the more basic verb meaning "to throw away." In this sense, "trash" always involves words or opinions, not physically putting something in the garbage. You trash a person’s idea, reputation, or performance, not their physical body or objects.
Synonyms
slam (Similar informal tone; often used in news writing about strong criticism.)
Antonyms
praise (Means to say good things about someone or something, the opposite of harsh criticism.)
Collocations
trash his reputation
|trash her performance
|trash the idea
|critics trashed the film
|trash someone online
|trash the proposal
Themes
communication
|emotions
|media
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The reviews completely trashed the new restaurant.
- He went on social media to trash his former boss.
- Commenters trashed the singer for her live performance.
- She’s tired of being trashed in the press.
- Why do you always trash my ideas instead of helping me improve them?
Learner examples
- The critics trashed the movie.
- He trashed his coworker in front of everyone.
- People online trashed her new song.
- Please don’t trash my work; tell me how to fix it.
- They trashed the plan without giving a reason.
Verb
informal
B2
action
5
to badly damage or wreck something
To break, damage, or mess up something very badly.
Usage pattern:
trash [a place/thing]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with simply throwing something away. When you "trash" a place in this sense, you damage it or make it very dirty, not put it in the garbage. Context such as "room," "car," or "house" usually shows this meaning.
Synonyms
vandalize (More formal and often used for deliberate damage to public or private property.)
Antonyms
repair (Means to fix or restore something instead of damaging it.)
Collocations
trash the place
|totally trashed
|trash the hotel room
|car was trashed
|house was trashed
|room got trashed
Themes
crime
|home
|emotions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The party guests completely trashed the apartment.
- The vandals trashed several cars on the street last night.
- His luggage was trashed during the flight.
- The hotel room was trashed, and they were charged for the damage.
- The storm trashed the small beach bar.
Learner examples
- They trashed the room after the party.
- The car was trashed in the accident.
- The boys trashed the old shed for fun.
- Our campsite was trashed by the wind.
- Someone trashed the office while we were away.
Noun
vulgar
C1
entity
6
insult for people seen as low
A very rude word for people someone thinks are very low and bad.
Usage pattern:
call [someone] trash
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize how offensive this use of "trash" is, especially in expressions like "white trash." It should be avoided in polite conversation and formal writing except when you are clearly talking about the word itself or reporting someone else’s language.
Synonyms
scum (Also a very strong insult for people seen as morally disgusting or worthless.)
Antonyms
upstanding citizen (Emphasizes respectability and good moral behavior, the opposite of what "trash" suggests here.)
Collocations
call someone trash
|treat someone like trash
|white trash
|considered trash
|act like trash
Themes
insults
|society
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He cruelly called his neighbors trash because they were poor.
- Some people still use the phrase "white trash," which is highly offensive.
- She felt like the rich guests treated her like trash.
- That word is hurtful; don’t call people trash.
- The article criticized the show for portraying its characters as trash.
Learner examples
- He called them trash, and they were very angry.
- Please do not call anyone trash; it is rude.
- She says she is not trash just because she is poor.
- The phrase "white trash" is very offensive.
- They felt like society saw them as trash.
Grammar
Dictionary form
trash
IPA
GB/tɹˈæʃ/
US/tɹˈæʃ/
Syllables & stress
trash (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (trash)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: trash
- Plural: trash
Verb
- Base: trash
- 3rd Person Singular: trashes
- Present Participle: trashing
- Past: trashed
Word family
Forms
trashes
verb
trashing
verb
trashed
verb
Related words
trashy
adjective
Expressions
piece of trash
1/pˈis əv tɹˈæʃ/
idiom
informal
insult for a worthless person or thing
A very rude way to say a person or thing is worthless.
Examples
- She called him a piece of trash after what he did.
- This cheap toy is a piece of trash; it broke in one day.
- Don’t talk to yourself like you’re a piece of trash.
take out the trash
1/tˈeɪk ˈaʊt ðə tɹˈæʃ/
fixed phrase
remove household trash for pickup
To carry the bag or container of trash from inside your home to the outside place where it will be collected.
Examples
- I have to take out the trash before the garbage truck comes.
- She asked her kids to take out the trash after dinner.
- Don’t forget to take out the trash on Sunday night.
talk trash
1/tˈɔk tɹˈæʃ/
idiom
informal
to insult or boast about others
To say rude or insulting things about another person, often in a game, sport, or argument.
Examples
- The players like to talk trash before the game starts.
- He talks trash online but is quiet in real life.
- She told him to stop talking trash about her friends.
trash bag
1/tɹˈæʃ bˈæɡ/
fixed phrase
plastic bag for trash
A big plastic bag that you put trash in.
Examples
- We need to buy more trash bags for the kitchen.
- He tied up the full trash bag and carried it outside.
- The trash bag ripped and garbage fell on the floor.
trash bin
1/tɹˈæʃ bˈɪn/
fixed phrase
bin or container for trash
A bin or box where trash is kept, sometimes also the place on a computer where deleted files go.
Examples
- Please put the paper in the trash bin under the desk.
- I found the file in the computer’s trash bin and restored it.
- Every desk in the office has a small trash bin.
trash can
1/tɹˈæʃ kən/
fixed phrase
container for holding trash
A container where you put trash.
Examples
- There’s a trash can next to the door.
- He threw the wrapper in the nearest trash can.
- The office needs more trash cans by the desks.
trash talk
1/tɹˈæʃ tˈɔk/
idiom
informal
insulting speech toward opponents
Rude or insulting words said to an opponent, especially in sports or games.
Examples
- There was a lot of trash talk during the basketball game.
- Her trash talk made the other team angry.
- He’s famous for his trash talk, but he can usually back it up.
trash TV
1/tɹˈæʃ tˈi vˈi/
idiom
informal
very low-quality television shows
TV shows that many people think are very bad or low quality, but some people still enjoy.
Examples
- We stayed in and watched trash TV all weekend.
- He says he only watches trash TV to relax.
- Some critics dismiss reality shows as trash TV.
white trash
1/wˈaɪt tɹˈæʃ/
idiom
vulgar
offensive insult for poor white people
A very offensive phrase for poor white people, saying they are low and bad.
Examples
- The term "white trash" is considered very offensive and classist.
- Some TV shows are criticized for their stereotypes of so-called white trash.
- You should never call someone "white trash"; it is a hateful expression.