wastrel

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "wastrel" is correct and usable in written English.
The word is a noun that refers to a person who spends their money or resources carelessly or foolishly. Example sentence: His parents had always seen him as a wastrel, but he eventually proved them wrong.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Though Caine is a previous winner, Law is already thought to be a surefire bet for his performance as a wastrel American shipping heir in The Talented Mr Ripley.

The Guardian - Film

Coleridge was a wastrel who spent his time devising unrealisable schemes.

The Economist

Alternatively, you may be asking Germans and Dutch to forgive the wastrel Greek government's public debt, or asking Americans to let their wastrel neighbours write down their mortgage debt with public assistance.

The Economist

What matters now is that London makes the best of its folly and beats the sorry standards set by past wastrel hosts of the sporting jamboree.

The Economist

As a grace note, Matthew Yglesias writes that based on recent indie-rock lyrics, what hip young women seem to want isn't to live the life of a carefree, bohemian wastrel; it's to have a well-paid and respected job, which just doesn't seem very "decadent".I subscribe to all of these critiques.

The Economist

She is actually a fairly strait-laced type (certainly when compared with her husband and the young wastrel who became George Bush), who once considered becoming a Methodist minister, and who dutifully followed her husband to Arkansas, subordinating her own career to his.The road back to the White HouseMrs Clinton's path to the Democratic nomination will be no cakewalk.

The Economist

And what of those wastrel Italians?

The Economist

In director Terrence Malick's Knight of Cups (2015), his existentially confused wastrel wanders Los Angeles engaging in sexual dalliances and probing his familial relationships.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His father, considering the 16-year-old a wastrel interested only in game shooting, sent him to study medicine at Edinburgh University in 1825.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Set in a kingdom plagued with rebellion, treachery, and shifting alliances in the period following the deposition of King Richard II, the two parts of Henry IV focus especially on the development of Prince Hal (later Henry V) from wastrel to ruler rather than on the title character.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Birdofredum Sawin, one of Lowell's most inspired inventions, is a Massachusetts wastrel who reports on the war in several letters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wastrel" when you want to convey not just that someone is spending excessively, but also that their behavior is unproductive and possibly self-destructive. It carries a stronger judgmental connotation than a simple term like 'spender'.

Common error

While both words relate to wasting, a "waster" can refer to anything that is wasted, whereas a "wastrel" specifically describes a person who wastes resources or opportunities. Ensure you're using "wastrel" only when referring to a person.

Linguistic Context

The word "wastrel" functions primarily as a noun, identifying a person who is characterized by their wasteful or extravagant habits. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in describing individuals prone to squandering resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

27%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wastrel" is a noun used to describe someone who wastes resources carelessly and foolishly. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media and encyclopedias. While synonyms like "spendthrift" and "prodigal" exist, "wastrel" carries a stronger judgmental connotation. When writing, be mindful not to confuse "wastrel" (a person) with "waster" (anything that is wasted). The word serves to criticize and negatively characterize someone's irresponsible behavior, making it a potent descriptor in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spendthrift

Emphasizes the excessive spending of money.

profligate

Stresses the immorality and recklessness of wasting resources, particularly money.

prodigal

Highlights the wasteful use of resources and opportunities, often with a hint of eventual return or regret.

squanderer

Focuses on the act of wasting something valuable carelessly.

dissipater

Highlights the action of scattering or wasting resources, often in a self-indulgent manner.

good-for-nothing

Describes someone who is lazy and unproductive, often failing to meet expectations.

loafer

Implies idleness and avoidance of work.

ne'er-do-well

Indicates someone who is unlikely to succeed or amount to anything.

idler

Similar to loafer, but with a slightly more passive connotation.

trifler

Suggests someone who wastes time and opportunities on unimportant things.

FAQs

How do I use "wastrel" in a sentence?

Use "wastrel" to describe someone who spends money or resources carelessly and foolishly. For example, "He was considered a "wastrel" because he gambled away his inheritance."

What are some synonyms for "wastrel"?

Alternatives to "wastrel" include "spendthrift", "prodigal", and "squanderer". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "wastrel" a formal or informal word?

"Wastrel" is generally considered a somewhat formal word, often found in literature or journalistic writing. In casual conversation, alternatives like "spender" or "waster" might be more common.

What is the difference between a "wastrel" and a "waster"?

A "waster" can refer to anything that is wasted (e.g., a waster of time), whereas a "wastrel" specifically refers to a person who wastes resources or lives recklessly. Ensure the term you choose appropriately reflects the context.