rubbish

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'rubbish' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is considered of no value, or something that is not true. Example sentence: All the stories he was telling us were just rubbish.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is rubbish!

The New York Times

I don't expect the University of Derby's student union to impose a ban (other than for it being completely rubbish).

The Guardian - Music

It has long since been established that what the paper reported as facts, were utter rubbish.

The Guardian - Opinion

Plus it helps create a buffer zone around you to protect you from all of the rubbish we have to deal with on a daily basis that makes us question our self worth, such as air-brushed images of so-called perfection.

The Guardian

It was all rubbish, but we thrived in one another's company even though we came from separate worlds.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So I prefer this place" – his arm swept in the filthy vista of the rubbish tip – "to my farm".

The Guardian

There are bags of rubbish stacking up in his living room, yet he daren't leave the house and "risk a hammer in my head".

The Guardian

And in any case, this man is using "sectioned" as a shorthand for wanting to stay in hospital – to be anywhere, in fact, other than his flat, with its bags of rubbish and abusive neighbours.

The Guardian

In the past few months she, along with a group of children from her school, have taught her village about recycling, organised a weekly rubbish collection, cleaned up the nearby salt flats and helped to get the first toilets installed.

The Guardian

The rubbish was also polluting the river where the villagers collect water.

The Guardian

As comparatively snappy and sophisticated as the likes of 30 Rock and The Office are, there's clearly such a demand for reliable, traditional sitcom formats that people will watch any old rubbish to get it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rubbish" to express strong disagreement or to dismiss something as untrue or worthless. It's more common in British English.

Common error

While "rubbish" is a versatile term, it can sound too informal or dismissive in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "unfounded", "incorrect", or "invalid" in professional settings.

Linguistic Context

Rubbish primarily functions as a noun referring to waste or unwanted material. It can also be used as an adjective to describe something of poor quality or as an interjection to express disbelief or disapproval. Ludwig AI indicates its common use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

25%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rubbish" is a versatile term primarily used as a noun to denote waste, but also functioning as an adjective or interjection. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in British English. While generally acceptable, its informality might make it unsuitable for certain formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "nonsense" or "waste material" depending on the desired level of formality. As confirmed by Ludwig, its frequency and diverse application make it an essential term in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nonsense

Emphasizes the lack of sense or logic in something.

trash

Focuses on the idea of physical waste or something of very low quality.

garbage

Similar to trash, but often implies something discarded or worthless.

crap

A more informal and vulgar way to express that something is of poor quality or untrue.

balderdash

An old-fashioned term for nonsense, often used humorously.

poppycock

Another slightly old-fashioned term for nonsense, similar to balderdash.

hogwash

Suggests something is false, insincere, or exaggerated.

bull

A very informal way to dismiss something as untrue or meaningless.

crapola

An informal expression indicating utter worthlessness or nonsense.

drivel

Indicates foolish, nonsensical talk or writing.

FAQs

How can I use "rubbish" in a sentence?

"Rubbish" can be used as a noun to mean waste, or as an adjective/interjection to express that something is terrible or untrue. For example, "The streets were filled with rubbish" or "That's a load of rubbish!".

What's a less informal alternative to "rubbish"?

Depending on the context, you could use more formal alternatives such as "nonsense", "falsehood", or "waste material".

Is it appropriate to use "rubbish" in formal writing?

While "rubbish" is widely understood, it may be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using alternatives such as "invalid", "incorrect", or "unsound".

What are some phrases similar in meaning to "rubbish"?

Synonyms for "rubbish" include "trash", "garbage", "nonsense", and "hogwash". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.