trash

USAGE SUMMARY

"trash" is an acceptable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to waste, garbage, or something that is considered of little worth. Example sentence: "The old laptop was nothing but trash now."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I took a bite off the sandwich and kept the rest in my hand till the guards collected the trash.

The Guardian

Simultaneously as my shit's going down, [and I'm] being put in the trash can.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Perhaps they could respond to Nobel with outright hostility, perhaps by yelling swearwords at the committee, or by going to Stockholm to trash its headquarters with a spraycan.

The Guardian

"Simon Woolley I'm certain you shall be rallying the filthy white trash, muslim wogapes and nigger swine and nigger beast, to vote against the BNP".

The Guardian - Opinion

Some may also remember the fact that he had to apologise in 2013 for bemoaning the amount of "trash" among the clientele of London nightclubs, in a post on an elite social network.

The Guardian

As often than not, single-use packages of food and drinks are made from virgin materials and then tossed in the trash.

The Guardian

He also spoke about his friendship with Armstrong – "an awesome person and, as far as I'm concerned, a punk rocker" – with whom he "trash talks" about their cycling rivalry.

The Guardian - Music

Audiences, who would usually watch this sort of trash while hungover or unable to find the remote, or both, wisely stayed away and the film bombed.

The Guardian - Film

Trash bags with clothing piled as high as you can see," Cannon said.

The Guardian

Many of the people in the home that authorities said appeared to be part of a human smuggling operation were dressed only in undergarments and they were sitting in filthy conditions and surrounded by trash bags full of old clothing, Cannon said.

The Guardian

The ex-beauty queens he liked were women she was prepared to dismiss as trash.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trash" in a figurative sense to describe something of poor quality, consider the impact. Alternatives like "junk" or "rubbish" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "trash" as a catch-all term for different types of waste. Be specific, using terms like "recyclables", "compost", or "hazardous waste" where appropriate for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "trash" functions primarily as a noun, referring to discarded or unwanted materials. It also serves as a verb, meaning to destroy or criticize severely. Ludwig examples illustrate both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "trash" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, widely used to denote waste material or the act of destroying/criticizing something severely. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its acceptability and common usage in written English. Primarily found in News & Media, "trash" carries a generally neutral tone, though its figurative uses can suggest negativity. For more formal contexts, synonyms like "rubbish", "garbage", or "waste" may be more appropriate. Understanding the nuances of "trash" ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rubbish

A common synonym for "trash", often used in British English.

garbage

Another direct synonym, implying discarded or waste material.

waste

A more general term for unwanted or unusable materials.

refuse

Similar to garbage but can also include industrial byproducts.

junk

Implies useless or unwanted items, often of low quality.

discard

Focuses on the act of throwing something away.

dump

Suggests disposing of something carelessly or in a large quantity.

litter

Refers to scattered refuse, often in a public space.

scrap

Implies leftover or discarded materials, often from manufacturing.

spurn

To reject something with disdain or contempt, similar to "trash" in a figurative sense.

FAQs

How can I use "trash" in a sentence?

You can use "trash" as a noun to refer to waste material, such as "Please take out the trash". Or as a verb, meaning to destroy or criticize harshly, for example, "The critics trashed the movie".

What are some synonyms for "trash"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "rubbish", "garbage", "waste", "junk", or "refuse".

Is it correct to say "trashed the place"?

Yes, "trashed the place" is a common idiom meaning to have made a mess of a location or vandalized it.

What does it mean when someone says they "trash-talk"?

"Trash-talk" refers to boastful or taunting remarks made to an opponent, often in sports. It is usually considered informal and can sometimes be offensive.