wasteful
gb/wˈeɪstfəl/ us/wˈeɪstfəl/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
using more than needed
Using too much of something and not being careful with it.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is wasteful (with/of) [resource]
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse wasteful (describes a person/thing) with wasted (used up or not used well).
Synonyms
inefficient (Emphasizes not using resources effectively.)
|
careless (Emphasizes lack of attention leading to waste.)
|
extravagant (Often suggests waste through excess, especially in lifestyle.)
Antonyms
efficient (Uses resources well with little waste.)
|
economical (Uses only what is needed; avoids waste.)
Collocations
wasteful habits
|a wasteful way to do something
|wasteful practices
|wasteful use of water
|wasteful use of energy
|wasteful use of resources
|wasteful consumption
|wasteful behavior
|wasteful process
|wasteful lifestyle
Themes
daily_life
|business
|environment
Examples
- Leaving the lights on all day is wasteful.
- The old system is wasteful because it uses a lot of water.
- It felt wasteful to throw away food that was still good.
Learner examples
- It is wasteful to use so much paper.
- Don’t be wasteful with water.
adjective
B2
property
2
spending money unnecessarily
Spending too much money and not thinking about the cost.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is wasteful with [money/public funds]
Common mistake:
Wasteful describes spending that is unnecessary; expensive can be wasteful, but not everything expensive is wasteful.
Synonyms
profligate (Stronger and more formal; suggests recklessly spending.)
|
extravagant (Focuses on luxury/excess rather than simple inefficiency.)
Antonyms
thrifty (Careful about spending; avoids waste.)
|
frugal (Deliberately avoids unnecessary expense.)
Collocations
wasteful spending
|wasteful use of funds
|wasteful purchase
|wasteful expenses
|wasteful investment
|wasteful government spending
|wasteful budget decisions
|a wasteful policy
|wasteful projects
|wasteful habits with money
Themes
money
|business
|daily_life
Examples
- The report criticized the agency for wasteful spending.
- Buying new equipment every year is wasteful when the old machines still work.
- He realized his late-night online shopping was becoming wasteful.
Learner examples
- That plan is wasteful and costs too much.
- She is not wasteful with her money.
adjective
B2
property
3
creating unnecessary trash
Making too much rubbish or extra material that isn’t needed.
Usage pattern:
a wasteful [product/package/design]
Common mistake:
Wasteful packaging means it creates unnecessary waste; it doesn’t mean the package itself is 'wasted.'
Synonyms
excessive (Emphasizes more than necessary; not always about waste.)
|
resource-intensive (Highlights high resource use, often in environmental contexts.)
Antonyms
low-waste (Designed to produce little trash.)
|
sustainable (Aims to reduce environmental impact, including waste.)
Collocations
wasteful packaging
|wasteful design
|wasteful production
|wasteful manufacturing
|wasteful single-use items
|wasteful disposable products
|wasteful materials
|wasteful consumption patterns
|wasteful excess packaging
|wasteful practices in production
Themes
environment
|consumer_goods
|daily_life
Examples
- Many customers complained that the new bottle design is wasteful.
- The company switched to smaller boxes to avoid wasteful packaging.
- Using single-use cutlery for every meal can be very wasteful.
Learner examples
- This packaging is wasteful.
- Reusable bags are less wasteful.
Grammar
Dictionary form
wasteful
IPA
GB/wˈeɪstfəl/
US/wˈeɪstfəl/
Syllables & stress
waste - ful (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (waste)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: wasteful
Expressions
wasteful of [time/money/resources]
1/wˈeɪstfəl əv tˈaɪmmənˈaɪɹɪsˈɔɹsɪz/
fixed phrase
not careful about using something
Using too much of something, like time or money.
Examples
- It’s wasteful of time to repeat work that’s already been done.
- The old heater is wasteful of energy.
- Printing every email is wasteful of paper.
wasteful with [money/water/energy]
1/wˈeɪstfəl wˈɪθ mˈoʊnˈaɪwˌeɪtɚənɚd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
using something carelessly
Not careful when using something, so you use too much.
Examples
- He’s wasteful with money when he goes on holiday.
- Try not to be wasteful with electricity during peak hours.
- They were wasteful with food and threw away a lot of leftovers.