# wasteful

/ˈweɪstfəɫ/ (US) · /wˈeɪstfəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wasteful
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

using more of something than you need, such as money, time, or food. It describes a person or action that throws away things that are still useful.

For teachers: using or expending something of value carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose. Often used to describe habits, processes, or individuals that fail to conserve resources.

## Examples

- Leaving the lights on all day is very wasteful.
- The manager criticized the wasteful spending on luxury office furniture while the staff lacked basic supplies.
- Environmentalists argue that the current model of fast fashion is inherently wasteful, as it encourages consumers to discard garments after only a few uses.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.